A recent inspection of the Good Samaritan nursing home in Flanagan, Illinois, revealed a serious lack of attention to detail from the nursing home administrators all the way down to the kitchen staff.
A Certified Nurses Aide (CNA) witnessed an incident of nursing home abuse. A staff member grabbed a resident by the arm and pulled her to her room. In addition, the CNA heard the staff member speak to her in a harsh manner. The resident was attempting to leave the facility.
Although multiple staff members, including the Director of Nursing, became aware of the incident, there was no action taken to remove the staff member from direct care of the resident. When asked why there was no further action taken, the nurse who initially was told about the incidents stated that there were too many “conflicting stories.”
The “hands-off” attitude seems to extend toward cleanliness in the kitchen. Dried food and rust were found on the kitchen mixer, and the ice machine had not been cleaned in over a year. Caked on food was found on the shelves inside the refrigerator.
When nursing homes fail to ensure food safety, residents are at great risk for acquiring avoidable illnesses and sicknesses. When an elderly or infirm resident develops food poisoning, it can easily result in the wrongful death of the resident.
Nursing homes are required to have a plan of infection control, and to maintain the high standards of cleanliness that prevent foodborne illness.
If you have a loved one who has been abused or neglected in an Illinois nursing home, contact our Chicago nursing home lawyers for a free and confidential evaluation of your case. At the Law Offices of Barry G. Doyle we never charge a fee unless we earn a recovery for you.