To figure out how the nursing home you have chosen for your family is rated and to see if the home has any prior violations, check out our nursing home index. We’ve compiled all of the nursing homes in Arizona as well as their health code reports, including those from Alta Mesa Health and Rehabilitation.
The injury attorneys at Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you have significant experience in helping clients who have been a nursing home abuse victim. Our offices are conveniently located in nearby Chandler, Peoria, and North Phoenix, and we can meet in-person at our nearby offices, over the phone, or video call. You can contact us for a free consultation, or read on to find out more.
By the way, we will also help with other problems that have cost you sleep, like finding a nearby doctor who can help you or recommending you to temporary or long-term care options. You and your family’s’ safety and health are our top concern, and even the best legal team isn’t good enough if your quality of life isn’t sustainable while justice and compensation are on the way. The whole point of legal action is to regain quality of life, so we help you long-term as attorneys and short-term as your go-to people. Our familiarity with the local Phoenix courts makes us confident that we can help you get the best settlement possible.
To figure out how the nursing home you have chosen for your family is rated and to see if the home has any prior violations, check out our nursing home index. We’ve compiled all of the nursing homes in Arizona as well as their health code reports.
Additionally, take a look at our Nursing Home Glossary– an index of important words you need to know in a nursing home abuse case and their definitions.
If you are unsure whether or not you can afford an attorney, don’t worry. We only get paid when you settle. Check out our Attorney Fees Calculator to find out more.
Alta Mesa Health and Rehabilitation
A report by the HHS and CMS claim that Alta Mesa Health & Rehabilitation are at fault for several violations, including neglect and wandering.
Failure to honor the resident’s right to and the facility must promote and facilitate resident self-determination through support of resident choice. (F 0561)
The facility failed to offer residents the right to choose the time that they get out of bed in the morning. Two residents claimed to be routinely awoken as early as 3am for the nursing assistant to get her dressed, only to put her back to bed until breakfast at 7am.
Changing regular sleep patterns can seriously impair a resident’s mental and physical wellbeing. This went against facility policy which says the resident has a right to choose schedules consistent with preferences.
Failure to protect each resident from all types of abuse such as physical, mental, sexual abuse, physical punishment, and neglect by anybody (F 0600); Failure to respond appropriately to all alleged violations. (F 0610)
The facility failed to protect a resident from the abuse by another resident who was repeatedly wandering into other resident’s rooms, set off emergency alarms, demonstrated aggressive behavior and slapped another resident. The incidents were documented and interventions were attempted but it seemed that the behavior was ongoing.
The facility failed to ensure that a prompt and thorough investigation was completed for this incident, which could result in further abuse incidents.
Failure to protect each resident from the wrongful use of the resident’s belongings or money (F 0602); Failure to ensure services provided by the nursing facility meet professional standards of quality (F 0658); Failure to ensure drugs and biologicals used in the facility are labeled in accordance with currently accepted professional principles. (F 0761)
Medications belonging to multiple residents medication and corresponding documentation went missing. The facility could not state for certain what happened to the missing medications, as no concrete proof could be found.
The facility failed to ensure that professional standards were followed during medication administration. In one instance, a staff member crushed an extended release medication, and in another, a nurse left medications by a resident’s bedside.
The facility failed to ensure that 1 of 2 medication carts was locked when unattended. The deficient practice could result in misappropriation of resident medication.
Any of these instances could result in harm, such as a patient not receiving their medication dose, or a patient overdosing on medication, but in this case it did not.
Failure to procure food from sources approved or considered satisfactory and store, prepare, distribute and serve food in accordance with professional standards. (F 0812)
Improperly labelled and sealed foods were found on the premises, which could lead to foodborne illness.
Failure to safeguard resident-identifiable information and/or maintain medical records on each resident that are in accordance with accepted professional standards. (F 0842)
The facility repeatedly failed to accurately document Restorative Nursing services provided to residents, despite physician orders.
Corrective action involved reviewing the Maintenance of Active Medical Records policy, which confirmed that the facility is to maintain updated and complete medical records, and a review of the Restorative Nursing Documentation policy, which explained how to set up services electronically.
Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse takes Many Forms
Abuse Between Residents
Resident on resident assault may include verbal, physical or sexual abuse, as well as other incidents which may not include direct physical contact like gestures or destruction of property. Cognitive impairment can be particularly difficult to manage as it can lead to violence and aggression, and staff must be trained and procedures in place to consistently prevent this from occurring.
All residents have the right to be free from all forms of abuse and neglect per the Nursing Home Reform Act, and nursing homes should have their own policies reflecting this.
Regarding the abuse incident above, facility policy exists stating:
“Residents must not be subjected to abuse by anyone, including, but not limited to, location employees, other residents, consultants or volunteers, employees of other agencies serving the resident, family members or legal guardians, friends or other individuals.”
Nursing homes have prevention procedures in place such as regular patient assessments, removal of the resident from the home and separating the resident from others.
Wandering (Elopement)
Patients with Alzheimer’s disease and other types of dementia may get confused and wander away. If a home is improperly staffed, staff does not have training, or the facility is not set up to handle this, wandering can result in injuries like falls and even death. If a patient wanders repeatedly, it may constitute neglect.
Failure of the Nursing Home to Investigate and Report Incidents
Unfortunately there have been cases where nursing homes fail to investigate incidents if they feel the need to cover it up. That’s why it’s important that all incidents of alleged abuse are reported quickly and follow the proper processes — a failure to do so could be an error, but it could also be a red flag.
Protect Your Loved Ones From Nursing Home Neglect
Reviewing a resident’s records regularly and checking in with key administrators and staff are essential parts of due diligence.
If you are concerned about a nursing home’s records, or you’ve become aware of neglect or abuse, we can help answer your questions. Contact us for a free consultation today.
Our team of abuse attorneys is dedicated to seeking damages on behalf of those family members who are being abused and help you find better accommodations for them in the nearby area. We’ve worked on a number of nursing home abuse cases previously in your area and take the time to understand the family’s concerns as well as the situation they believe their loved one is in.
At Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm near you, we have more than 15 years of experience helping clients obtain compensation for their and their loved one’s personal injuries, including those from nursing home abuse in the Phoenix area. When you’re ready to talk, please contact our office to arrange a free initial consultation by phone or at our Chandler office, conveniently located near you.
If you or a loved one has been the victim of nursing home abuse, contact Phoenix Accident and Injury Law Firm in nearby Chandler, AZ to speak with an experienced personal injury attorney. We provide personal injury legal services to clients in your area including Chandler, Gilbert, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, and Peoria.
