Transfers are deemed to be such an important part of patient care, that all patients must be assessed to determine the type of assistance the facility is to provide for the patient.

Particularly for immobile patients, the assistance of one, two or sometimes even three staff members may be necessary to safely move the patient to a wheelchair, bed or other device.  Unfortunately, even with the supervision of multiple staff members, transfers can easily result in a patient getting dropped or falling when the staff fail to act in concert or use proper lifting technique.

Because most patients involved in transfers have limited mobility to assist or to react to a situation, when patients are dropped-- significant injuries commonly accompany. 

Yet again, I was reminded about how sloppy transfers can result in significant injuries to patients when I read about a dementia patient who sustained a significant head injury when he fell from his bed during a transfer from his wheelchair.  According to a recent article in the Des Moines Register, the patient fell from his bed while one of the two nursing home workers responsible for the transferring him diverted their focus away from the patient in order to get a pillow.  While the worker was getting the pillow, the patient slid from the bed and hit his head on a nearby wheelchair suffering a bleed on his brain.

The patient was taken to a nearby hospital for medical attention and died several days later. 

An investigation into this incident by nursing home inspectors confirmed that the staff involved in this incident indeed acted negligently and a fine was imposed against the facility.

As an attorney who works on transfer-related injuries in nursing homes and hospitals, I find these type of cases particularly disturbing because of the direct failure of staff to attend to patient needs.  Though occasionally referred to as 'falls', transfer injuries are more aptly referred to as 'dropping a pateint' and are particularly concerning because almost all of these occurrences result from errors made exclusively by staff-- as opposed to any contributory fault of the patient.

Lastly, in addition to a dropping incident itself, I find situations where staff fail to report these occurrences most alarming.  Regardless of the severity of the incident, staff must make note of the incident itself and conduct an assessment of the patient to assure that any injuries are timely and compassionately taken care of.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

$8 Million Verdict Handed To Nursing Home After They Play Dumb About The Origin Of Patient's Injuries

Staff Need To Protect Disabled Nursing Home Patients As They Transport Them In Wheelchairs

ManorCare Facility Named In Nursing Home Negligence Lawsuit After Patient Fractures Leg

Improper Maintenance Of Lift Device Costs Nursing Home Patient Their Life

Retired surgeon, Dr. David Griffin was admitted to Treyton Oak Towers in Louisville for care following a disabling stroke left him with impaired mobility.  Upon admission, the staff at the nursing home conducted an assessment of Dr. Griffin's care needs and determined that required him to be transferred in-and-out of wheelchairs with the use of a lift and the assistance of two staff member.   

Ignoring the requirements of the care plan relating to safe transfer protocols, one staff member at Treyton Oak Towers apparently attempted to move the patient on their own from a wheelchair to his bed.  During the transfer process, the patient was seemingly dropped fracturing both of the patient's legs.  

Rather than seek immediate medical attention for the patient, staff at the facility elected to put Dr. Griffin into his bed--- as though the incident never occurred.

The fractures in the patient's legs went ignored--- and completely untreated until he was taken to a nearby hospital where tests confirmed the fractures.  Just months after after the incident the patient died from unknown causes. 

Cases like this make me proud to see that our civil justice system affords injured parties the opportunity to introduce evidence as to a parties culpability.  Further, as we can see from this case, jurors can quickly identify the critical issues in a case like this--- even when they need to weed through two weeks of testimony.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog entries:

State Doesn't Buy Claim That Patient's Leg Spontaneously Broke

When Patient Safety Is An Afterthought, Employee Carelessness Frequently Results In Patient Injury

Turning & Repositioning By Nursing Home Staff Blamed For The Leg Fractures Of Patient

Family Awarded $546,000 In ManorCare Lawsuit

An investigation into the incident by the Minnesota Department of Health concluded that two CNA's at the facility identified as Devine Providence Health Canter failed to properly utilize the straps on the lift intended to keep patients safely in place.  While the elderly patient was being moved, she fell head-first from several feet. 

After receiving medical attention, the woman's condition continued to deteriorate and she died several weeks later.

Read more about this mechanical lift accident at a Minnesota Nursing Home here.

Mechanical Lifts In Nursing Homes & Hospitals

Mechanical lifts are considered basic medical equipment at many nursing homes and hospitals and are regularly utilized by staff to move physically disabled patients into and out of bed or wheelchairs.  When used correctly, mechanical lifts are considered a far more safe method of moving patients compared with staff moving patients on their own.

Safe operation of mechanical lifts requires that facilities make an investment in training their staff on how to use the equipment and that facilities take steps to keep the machines in good working order.  Inattention to either of these areas can result in patient injury--- or as we can see from the above situation, even death.

Given that medical facilities have a responsibility to care for patients-- regardless of their physical or mental limitations--- mechanical lift injuries fall squarely on the shoulders of the facility where the incident occurred.  Any patient who suffered an injury during a mechanical lifting procedure should be mindful of the fact that the negligence of the facility and its staff is likely to blame for their circumstance and they are likely entitled to pursue a claim for damages against them.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Shouldn't Nursing Home Fines Be Reflective Of The Type Of Violation Committed?

Improper Maintenance Of Lift Device Costs Nursing Home Patient Their Life

Poor Training & Under-Staffing Blamed For The Death Of A Nursing Home Patient Who Died From Injuries Sustained After She Was Dropped By A CNA In A Minnesota Facility

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

While many situations involving a patient injury may be suspected to be related to under-staffing, it frankly can be a difficult concept to establish specific staffing level requirements at nursing homes across the board because the needs may vary drastically from facility to facility.

One of the most identifiable problems I associate with under-staffing in nursing homes is when facilities simply do not supply enough to transfer immobile patients into or out of beds or wheelchairs.  Working on a number of cases involving patients whom have been simply 'dropped' by staff, I find that many of these cases involve patients who were attempted to be transferred without sufficient manpower for a safe transfer.

By law, nursing home patients must be assessed (and re-assessed on a regular basis) to determine the level of assistance they require from staff.  Particularly with physically disabled patients, an assessment and derived care plan will set forth the type of assistance as well as the number of staff who are to assist with transfers--- when a patient is moved from one modality to another.  Completely immobile-- or larger patients-- may require the assistance of one, two, three or four staff members all working in concert with another to help move the patient.

Obviously, when facilities are not properly staffed, it can be difficult--- if not downright impossible for a patient to get transferred with the level of assistance necessary.

An example of the horrible problems that can ensue when an insufficient number of staff attempt to move a nursing home patient was recently reported by FOX40 News.  According to reports, a patient at Crystal Ridge Care Center died following injuries he sustained when he fell from a mechanical chair lift used to move the man out of a bathtub.  As a single CNA attempted to move the man out of the tub, he fell from the lift suffering an injury to his head and fractures in his neck.  

While investigating the incident, the California Department of Public Health quickly learned that the facilities own policy required two staff members to assist in moving patients with the chair lift.   Additionally, the investigation revealed that the California nursing home never provided any training or evaluation of staff on how to use the lift.

Training issues aside, I assume situations involving patient injury could be minimized if facilities would provide sufficient staffing levels necessary to implement the care that they assure families that they can provide.  

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Nursing Home Aide Fired After She Forgets To Secure Paralyzed Patient In Wheelchair

Improper Maintenance Of Lift Device Costs Nursing Home Patient Their Life

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

Nursing Home Spotlight: Virgil Calvert Nursing Home and Rehabilitation Center (Also Known as "Nathan Health Care Center"); East St. Louis, IL

But, what happens when these fines are so seemingly low in comparison to the type of violation or patient harm committed?

Patient harm and poor nursing practices aside, it only seems like human nature for facilities to take a closer look at instances that may have resulted in higher fines.

Call me cynical, but when I recently read about a Connecticut Nursing Home (Bishops Corner Skilled Nursing & Rehabilitation) receiving a measly $710 fine for two instances involving substantial errors relating to patient care. I cringed in disbelief as the fine seems distinctly out of whack with the type of infractions committed.

According to news reports, the Connecticut Department of Public Health discovered that the facility failed to provide one mentally retarded patient with the medication prescribed by her doctor and a second situation where workers improperly used a mechanical Hoyer lift on patient resulting in the patient falling from the machine and hitting their head on the floor.

While, I'm sure the Department carefully considered the circumstances before dispensing their fines, I hope the fine serves as 'enough' of a prod for this facility to improve its patient care. 

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Safe Transfers

'Significant Medication Errors' Discovered In Nursing Home Following Investigation Related To Patient Injury & Death

Who Should Manage Administration Of Medication?

While nursing home must assess each patient for their propensity to fall and implement fall preventions accordingly--- for some patients falls may occur even with safeguards in place.

We'll save the discussion on nursing home fall precautions for another day-- but what about how the facility handles the care post-fall?

A fall, like any injury-related incident involving a nursing home patient should be immediately be followed by an accompanying evaluation of the patient to see if the patient requires medical care. Even in circumstances where there may be no apparent injury, the circumstances surrounding the incident should followed up with a corresponding evaluation and re-assessment by the facility to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.

While the circumstances surrounding the fall may be important for determining any liability on the part of the facility, I find that the care (or lack thereof) provided by the facility after the fact is too often an afterthought of the facility.

In this sense, I was glad to see nursing home investigators from the Minnesota Health Department Office of Health Facilities Complaints acknowledge the errors the Augustana Heath Care Center made following the fall of a patient from his wheelchair.

In evaluating the incident, it was determined that the facility made errors relating to the patients post-fall care.  In a recently released report, the agency noted that the facility "did not assess, monitor and treat" the man in a timely manner following his fall.

The finding is particularly important because it was revealed that the man's death wouldn't have been avoided even with timely care due to the serenity of his injuries.

In the course of an increasingly hostile nursing home litigation environment, I am seeing poorer and poorer post-fall care provided to patients. It is readily becoming apparent to me that many nursing homes would rather attempt to cover up an incident than acknowledge it's existence and provide necessary care for their patients-- that just may ease their suffering.

For patients, I hope that other states acknowledge the need to provide an evaluation and care for a patient post-fall as it is simply cruel to allow patients to suffer because a facility may be ashamed of its care.  All situations involving the fall of a nursing home patient should be followed by a careful examination by staff who are trained to identify even latent injuries to residents. When an injury is identified, staff should summon the patients doctor or get them to a hospital as soon as feasible. Failure to do so isn't just illegal, it's downright cruel.

Related:

Ohio Jury Awards Family $1 Million In Nursing Home Fall Lawsuit

Rapid Decline For Elderly Nursing Home Patients Following Fall-Related Injuries

Falls In Nursing Homes Are A Serious Threat To The Safety Of Many Patients

Even Common Falls Put Elderly At Risk For Developing Subdural Hematomas

Sure, the implementation of educational programs at nursing homes my help get patient safety back into the minds of staff members, but even the best safety programs require careful and conscientious staff to see that that are properly implemented.

In this sense, one of most disturbing trends I am seeing--- particularly, amongst patients in nursing homes and hospitals--- is patients getting injured while they are being transported in the facility by staff.  

That's right, the CNA's and other custodial staff responsible for carefully pushing the wheelchairs or stretchers, I'm seeing the most basic precautions thrown out the window as staff hastily move patients about.  Over the past six months alone, I've seen situations involving patient injury that really derive from sloppiness on the part of staff including:

• Patients thrown out of beds and wheelchairs because wheel-locks weren't engaged
• Patients falling out of beds because side-rails were never raised
• Staff not properly assembling beds and wheelchairs
• Staff failing to secure patients arms and legs in wheelchairs thereby allowing them to get caught or tangled on other other equipment
• Staff failing to load patients in elevators properly- allowing doors to close on them
• Patients being left unattended to in cluttered areas

Though many of these situations seem far-fetched and somewhat laughable, they indeed are the very real culprits of real injuries-- sometimes far more disabling than more traditional conceptions of nursing home negligence or medical malpractice.

However due to the very real nature of these sloppy patient-safety injuries--- sometimes involving fractured bones, dislodged medical devices, subdural hematomas-- or even death, it is crucial to evaluate these with the same zealousness as any other type of injury related case involving a nursing home or hospital. 

Particularly given the fact that most of these situations will occur 'behind the closed doors' of the medical facility, it is important to both recognize the potential significance of the injury and seek medical treatment as soon as feasible secondly bring the situation to the attention of staff at the facility to assure there is some documentation related to the event. Don't be victimized twice for an employees plain old carelessness.

Related:

Improper Maintenance Of Lift Device Costs Nursing Home Patient Their Life

Medical Facilities Must Use Wheel-Locks & Supervision To Protect Patients In Wheelchairs

Rosenfeld Injury Lawyers: Hospital Negligence

Nursing Home Patients Transported In Vehicles Are At Risk For Injury When Safety Is An Afterthought

An investigation into the incident was conducted by the Minnesota Department of Health that determined that the aide’s negligent conduct was to blame for the fall-related injuries.  The injuries from the fall resulted in a rapid physical decline in the patient and she died within a week of the incident.

Transfer-related injuries are a common type of injury sustained by many nursing home patients.  Sadly, most of these injuries are the result of poor training and chronic under-staffing at these facilities when staff simply does not have the manpower to safely transfer patients from one apparatus to another.

While the nursing home itself was not held responsible for the injuries by the state investigators, this patient’s family may be successful in a lawsuit against the facility for the patient’s injuries and death as the CNA was acting in the course of her employment at the time of the incident.

Related:

ManorCare Facility Named In Nursing Home Negligence Lawsuit After Patient Fractures Leg

Blamed For The Death Of A Nursing Home Patient Who Died From Injuries Sustained After She Was Dropped By A CNA In A Minnesota Facility

Nursing Home Waits 19 Hours To Provide Medical Treatment To Resident Who Fractured Her Hip During Sabina Lift Transfer

Report faults Duluth nursing home aide in resident’s fatal fall, February 4, 2011 Star Tribune

In addition to negligence allegations, the lawsuit further alleges that ManorCare violated Illinois' Nursing Home Care Act when they improperly transferred a frail patient.

Dropped Patients

Many nursing home patients are completely dependent on staff for transfers to and from different equipment throughout the day.  It is important that nursing homes fairly assess all patients and determine the level of assistance required based on the patients level and strength and mobility as well as the patient's physical size.

Further, it is important that staff adhere to the specifications set forth in the patient's care plan be it a one, two or three person assist.  Unfortunately, many staff feel obligated to attempt to do patient transfers without the assistance of their peers due to under-staffing by facilities.

If your family member or friend has sustained an injury during a transfer into or out of a bed, wheelchair, walker, geri-chair or toilet, the incident may give rise to a claim for damages against the facility.  By contacting your state's health department or other agency that regulates nursing homes, soon after the incident, an inspection may be done in a timely manner to determine why the incident occurred.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

ManorCare Nursing Homes In Chicago: How Does Your Facility Compare?

65 Illinois Nursing Homes On Second Quarter Violation List

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

Safe Transfers

Illinois Department of Health: ManorCare Of Elk Grove Village

The lawsuit was brought about by a 2009 incident in which an elderly patient was being brought out of the ManorCare facility and fell from a gurney due to cracks on the pathway on the nursing home property.

The fall resulted in the man striking his head on the pavement and lapsing into a coma from his head injuries.  Several days later the man died.

The Iowa jury apportioned fault as follows: Friendship Manor Care 90%, Midwest Ambulance Service of Iowa 10%.

This lawsuit highlights the need to conduct a thorough investigation of every potential nursing home negligence case to determine who the potential parties may be.  In some cases, all parties may not be readily apparent and an investigation may be necessary to evaluate the culpability of responsible parties.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Nursing Home Operators May Be Responsible For Injuries Due To The Negligent Removal Of Snow & Ice

Chicagoland Manor Care Facility Named In Wrongful Death Lawsuit

ManorCare Nursing Homes In Chicago: How Does Your Facility Compare?

According to an investigation completed by the California Department of Health, the 60-year-old nursing home patient was being transported from a wheelchair to bed when the sling on the lifting device broke and causing the patient to fall to the floor and suffer a head injury which subsequently caused his death.

The agency determined that the nursing home failed to perform the appropriate maintenance on the machine as directed by the lift manufacturer.  As a result of the nursing homes omissions, it was issued a AA Citation and fined $100,000.

Injuries During Transfer

Many patients suffer needless injuries during transfers from a wheelchair to bed, as a result of defective products or errors made by staff.  As required, by each patient's 'care plan' the degree of assistance should be specified based on the patients level of strength and size.

I frequently see patients injured when staff ignore the parameters set forth for transfers and attempt to transfer patients without adequate assistance.  Another culprit in transfer-related injury cases is that some facilities are inadequately staffed, making a two, three or four person assist unfeasible.

Nonetheless, if your loved one suffered an injury during a transfer, you should immediately question why the incident occurred.  In these cases, I suggest contacting the state's department of health and filing a complaint that will trigger an investigation into the incident.

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Nursing Home Waits 19 Hours To Provide Medical Treatment To Resident Who Fractured Her Hip During Sabina Lift Transfer

Nurses Failure To Assist Patient To Toilet Costs Nursing Home Dearly

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

Faulty Handicapped Lift Blamed For Nursing Home Death

There's been a lot of talk about a recent jury verdict against Hillcrest Nursing Home, a Kentucky facility, after a patient fell while attempting to transfer herself to the toilet-- and there should be, the jury hit the facility with a $7 million dollar verdict.

The incident involved a patient who was 67-years-young, who was admitted to the nursing home for rehabilitation following a knee surgery.  Perhaps due to the woman's youthful appearance, the nurses aide told the woman that she was busy and she could use the toilet herself.  It was during the unassisted transfer to the commode, that the nursing home patient fell and severely injured the surgically repaired leg.  The leg was so severely injured that it had to be amputated following the fall.

However, as a nursing home lawyer, I am drawn to the common fact pattern that forms the basis of the lawsuit as opposed to the end result.  I see many nursing home and hospital patients suffer needless injuries in the bathroom primarily due to two reasons: 1) the staff fails to provide assistance to the patient to get them on to the toilet and 2) the staff leave the patient on the toilet without any supervision.

Of course no one wants to needlessly invade another person's privacy, but when it comes to patients who require assistance, patient safety must trump expectations of privacy. 

Even when relatively healthy patients can seemingly navigate their way from their bed to the bathroom and place themselves on the toilet, staff must strictly adhere to the doctors orders when it comes to assistance.

Much more so than in other areas of medical facilities, I tend to see patients suffer injuries in the bathroom due to:

• Changes in their blood pressure when getting out of bed or from a wheelchair
• Lack of stability devices within the bathroom-- guardrails, hand grips
• Staff slow to respond to patients requests to use the toilet
• Inadequate staffing levels at facilities to provide the level of patient assistance set forth in a patients care plan
• Staff that ignore physician orders with respect to assistance when it comes to bathroom use

I guess the moral of all this is that while patient privacy certainly has a place, when it comes to using the restroom, don't be shy about asking for assistance--- you just may need it.

Related:

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

Nursing Home Waits 19 Hours To Provide Medical Treatment To Resident Who Fractured Her Hip During Sabina Lift Transfer

Falls In Nursing Homes Are A Serious Threat To The Safety Of Many Patients

Inadequate Training Of Medi-Car Staff Exposes Seniors To Unnecessary Risk During Non-Emergency Transportation

Medical transport, or Medi-car programs as they are frequently referred to, provide an essential role the physical and emotional well-being of senior and the disabled.  Most Medi-car companies have specially equipped vans to accommodate people in wheelchairs and with other special needs.

The specialized equipment is worthless without properly trained staff.  As lawyers whom have represented many people who received injuries during non-emergency transport, we usually see staff errors as the major culprit for patient injury.

The failure of many Medi-car transport companies to train their staff may result in:

• Dropped patients
• Patients injured due to negligent driving
• Wheelchair lift injuries
• Patient injury due to the staff's failure to properly secure them in vehicle
• Patients struck by the medi-car / medi-van
• Physical abuse of patients
• Patient injury due to under-staffing or fatigue

Our experience representing the elderly and disabled,has resulted in the successful resolution of many cases involving an injury during Medi-car transport.  If you or loved one was injured during non-emergency medical transportation, we welcome you to speak to our lawyers for a free consultation. (888) 424-5757

Related:

Transportation In & Out Of Nursing Homes: Ambulance Responsibility.

Ambulance Accident Claims The Life Of A Nursing Home Patient After Dialysis Treatment

Dropping Patients, Failing To Secure Wheelchairs & Dangerous Driving Put Elderly Patients At Risk Of Further Harm During Ambulance Transport

Bone Fractures In The Elderly Require Special Attention To Improve Recovery & Prevent Complications

Illinois Transportation Providers

A

AA Medicar & Wheelchair Transport, So. Holland 773/263-3390

A & A Trustportation, Dolton 708/699-7669
A-Plus Medicar Services, Mount Prospect 773/701-1511

A G Medicar 847/480-2331
A Regency Transportation 773/445-7124
A, T & J Transportation 708/710-7531
Abinel Ent Inc. , Park Forest 708/743-3321
Accute Transportation, E. St Louis 618/857-8004

Access Transportation, Bellwood 708/544-8366

Ace Transit, Hillside 888/502-2348
Advance Medicar 773/774-8875
Advanced Medivan Svc. Effingham, 217/342-3120

Advantage Medical Services, Oakbrook 773/842-4943

Aide First Transportation, Matteson 312/636-3385
AKB Transportation Inc. Rockford, 815/874-0923
Akollars Inc. 708/333-6082
Al’s Medical Transportation 312/733-7610
All American Transportation, Fairview Heights 618/257-9666

All Around Transportation, Homewood 773/386-5355

All Care Express, South Holland 708/713-1344

Amazing Grace Medical Services, Homewood 773/562-0861
Area Medi-van Inc., Livingston 217/556-5779
ATS – Rockford 815/963-6881
B
Best Med Car, Granite City 618/667-0202

Better Care Transportation Service, Country Club Hills 866/536-6066

Black Car Livery Transportation Inc., Flossmoor 708/212-2817

Blessed Hope Transportation, Bourbonnais 815/304-5124

Brewers Transportation 708/210-0984

Bryant's Transportation Services LLC 773/640-1643

Bud's Ambulance, Dolton 708/849-0945
C

C & G Transportation 773/443-5930
&K Transportation, Chicago Heights 708/769-7767
C. A. Medical 773/651-9878
Caregiver Transportation 773/802-5899
Catch A Ride 773/418-8101
Chicagoland C. And T., Calumet City 708/862-7900
City & Suburban Transport, Calumet City 773/425-8243
City Wide Transportation 708/239-6444

CJE Senior Life, Evanston 847/556-8450

Community Solutions, Steger 708/420-5235

Covenant Transportation Inc., Monee 708/534-0682

Crosstown Transportation 773/752-2700
Crown Medicare Transport - Broadview, 708/338-3305

CVHul Transport, Joliet 815/670-9965
D

D A Medi Services Inc. Skokie 847/293-1882
D and R Transportation 708/724-7179
Destiny Transportation 708/753-0455
Door To Door Transportation 773/268-1200
E
ER Ambulance 773/723-1575
EB & OD Transportation, Harvey 312/209-8162
EMJ Transportation Service Inc. 708/868-4225
Emma Transportation 773/6268478

Empi Care 773/468-0765
Exceptionalities 773/233-9900
EZ Transport Services 630/241-0140
F
Family Alliance, Woodstock 815/333-8649

Family First Transportation Corp. 708/362-0642
Family Transportation , South Holland 708/333-3937
First Choice Healthcare Services 773/507-6271
Flaming Fire, South Holland 708/227-7791
Forest Medicar, Lynwood 708/421-3708
G

Get You There, Richton Park 708/969-1072
Great Minute Transportation 773/416-4836
H

H & H Transportation 773/841-9799

H & L Passenger Services 773/285-1090

Hallmark Nursing Center , Pekin
Harre Hamilton County Ambulance Inc., Mcleansboro 618/956-4164

Healthcare Plus Transportation 773/283-0090
Heavenly Angels 773/918-1886
Highlighters Transportation Co. 773/285-1444
Hills Transportation Services, Inc. 773/858-5138
Home Delivery 773/298-1997
Hope Medivan Inc. 708/430-3922
I

IBT Transportation, Villa Park 708/935-7484
IDK Transportation, Hazel Crest 708/954-0442

I’ll take U There 773/473-4454
J

J.D. Transportation Service, Chgo. Heights 708/743-9395
JM Medical Transport 708/431-5621
Joiner Transportation 773/221-9425
K

K & J Transportation Inc. 773/675-6911
Kenyatta’s Transportation 773/221-3777
Kurtz Transport Svc. 815/485-3200
L
Ledbetter Enterprise Inc., Woodridge 708/646-5643

LER Medical Express, Buffalo Grove 847/279-0870

LRJ Transportation, Calumet City 708/699-4160

Luxury Taxi & Limo, Yorkville 630/853-1163
M
Marks Sunset Manor 618/392-0846
MB Bisses Inc.773/866-6549
MCS Medical Transportation 847/325-5411
Medi Ride Inc. 630/236-8699
Merkava Transportation 773/369-6796
Metro Medical Svc. Loves Park 815/877-7277
Micromed Transportation 773/779-4307

Mid-West Medicar LLC, Plainfield 815/953-2690

Midwest Med-Trans, Bolingbrook 630/783-9697
N
NK Medical Supply & Transportaion 708/713-2700
O
Oakwood Transportation, Matteson 708/748-5084

Odyssey Medical Transportation 773/230-3112
Olshala Co. Matteson 708/248-2919

On the Spot Transportation Inc. Calumet City, 708/868-8760
P

P&S Transportation Inc. 630/267-2902
Phase 2 Inc., South Holland 708/359-1482
Pick Up & Go Transport 773/759-0781
Pickup & Dropoff Transportation Co. 773/379-4025
Pride Transportation – Kankakee, 815/295-1149
Primecare Medicar Services Inc. 773/465-3534
Pro Ambulance Service, Champaign 217-327-2911
Progressive Medical, Oak forest 708/687-8351
Q
Quick Response Transportation 708/720-1211
R
R. Johnson Transport 773/619-6090
Rapid Assurance 773/385-8883

Ray Transport Inc. 773/283-7577

Here are our most popular fall-related entries over the past year:

How Many Falls Is Enough To Impose Responsibility On Nursing Home?

Falls are a common problem facing elderly people in and out of nursing homes. By some accounts, every elderly person in America will fall at least one time over the course of the next year. Many of these falls will cause injury and some will even cause death.

In the case of falls occurring in the nursing home setting, many clients and their families focus their attention on tying a specific number of falls to a facilities responsibility. Truth be told, there really is no magic number when it comes to identifying a specific number of falls after which a nursing home or hospital becomes responsible....

Never Event #1: Hospital Falls & Trauma

Falls in trauma top the list of preventable medical conditions in hospitals, accounting for 193,566 incidents in 2007. Falls in hospitals (and similarly in nursing homes) are deemed to be preventable by Medicare because with proper fall/risk assessments and staff assistance most falls in hospital could be avoided. A number of factors should be addressed by a hospital to determine if a person is at risk for falls:...

Nursing Home Cited For Mistreatment Of Resident Following Investigation Of Resident's Fractured Neck

The Minnesota Department of Health released an investigative report concluding a resident of Presbyterian Homes of Arden Hills Nursing Home sustained a broken neck due to a fall or other trauma at the facility. The investigation follows the death of 91-year-old Gladys Gall, a resident at the facility.

Despite the fact no federal or state nursing home violations were identified, investigators still determined there was ample circumstantial evidence to conclude the nursing home was at fault in the injury and subsequent death of Gall. On April 18, 2008 Gall was admitted to an emergency room after complaining of head and neck pain. A CT scan confirmed Gall's pain was related to a cervical fracture. On April 28th, Gall died from complications related to the cervical fracture....

What Is Hypostatic Blood Pressure & Why Is There An Associated 'Fall Risk'?

Hypotension (low blood pressure) is a problem for many nursing home residents, causing dizziness and fainting. Blood pressure readings measure the pressure in arteries - systolic pressure (the top number in a reading) measures the pressure the heart generates when pumping blood out to the rest of the body and diastolic pressure (the bottom number in a reading) measures the amount of pressure between heartbeats. A systolic blood pressure of 90 millimeters of mercury or less or a diastolic blood pressure of 60 millimeters of mercury or less is considered low....

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

The most dangerous part of the day for many nursing home patients may be getting out of bed in the morning. When staff fail to supervise or provide proper assistance to nursing home patients during transfers, patients are at risk for falls or being dropped by staff.

Disabled nursing home patients and those with physical limitations must be carefully monitored to avoid injuries while being transferred from one device to another. Some of the commonly encountered situations where patients are injured include:...

Even Common Falls Put Elderly At Risk For Developing Subdural Hematomas

Frequently undiagnosed and under-appreciated, falls amongst the elderly can frequently result in brain bleeds or technically termed 'subdural hematoas'. Because elderly are predisposed to developing subdural hamatomas, staff in nursing homes and hospitals need to be tuned into the symptoms and when to seek additional medical care....

Bone Fractures In The Elderly Require Special Attention To Improve Recovery & Prevent Complications

A fracture is a broken bone that requires medical attention. Fifty percent of women over age fifty and twenty-five percent of men over age fifty will suffer from an age-related bone fracture sometime in their lifetime.

Elderly people are particularly susceptible to broken bones because as bones age, they lose the ability to resist the formation and growth of cracks that can lead to bone breaks because they cannot withstand as much pressure as younger bones. Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies ability to heal fractures is compromised....

Blood Thinning Medications, Such As Coumadin, Pose Substantial Danger To Nursing Home Patients Involved In Falls

Coumadin (generic name - Warfarin), is an anticoagulant (blood thinning medication) that is commonly used to help treat and prevent blood clots that could cause a heart attack, stroke, or pulmonary embolism. This prescription medication works by blocking the creation of certain clotting mechanisms, which prevents blood clots from forming. The goal of warfarin therapy is to decrease the clotting tendency of blood but not to prevent clotting altogether....

If your loved one suffered an injury related to a fall at a hospital or nursing home, the facility may be responsible for their injuries.  You can always call our office to discuss the potential matter, free of charge.  Toll-free across the country (888) 424-5757

What is a fracture?

A fracture is a broken bone that requires medical attention. Fifty percent of women over age fifty and twenty-five percent of men over age fifty will suffer from an age-related bone fracture sometime in their lifetime.

Elderly people are particularly susceptible to broken bones because as bones age, they lose the ability to resist the formation and growth of cracks that can lead to bone breaks because they cannot withstand as much pressure as younger bones.  Unfortunately, as we age, our bodies ability to heal fractures is compromised.

Nursing home staff can take steps to help maintain bone health in elderly nursing home residents:

• Regular exercise
• Adequate amounts of calcium
• Adequate amounts of vitamin D (essential for calcium absorption)

Osteoporatic Nursing Home Patients and fractures

Elderly nursing home residents who have osteoporosis (porous weak bones) or other conditions that lead to weakened bones or decreased bone density are at risk for bone fractures. Weak bones have low levels of calcium, phosphorous, and other minerals in the bones, which makes people more susceptible to fractures because the bones are more brittle. 

Women suffering from osteoporosis are twice as likely to suffer from bone fractures than men with osteoporosis.  Fractures from osteoporosis are most common in the spine and hips (bones that directly support your weight), and the wrists from bracing. Therefore, nursing home staff should take extra precautions to prevent falls and provide adequate nutrition to maintain the well-being of residents.

Diabetic Nursing Home Patients and fractures

Many nursing home residents also suffer from diabetes. A recent study suggests that there is an association between a drug introduced in the 1990s to help treat type 2 diabetes (thiazolidinediones) and bone fracture. The increased risk of fracture increased as the duration of the drug treatment increased and was observed in both men and women. Therefore, nursing home residents who have been treated with this drug also might have a further increased risk of bone fractures. 

Medical treatment for fractures in the elderly

Treatment for bone fractures depends on the location of the break. For most fractures occurring in the arms, legs, hands, and feet, the initial treatment is splinting the injured limb and immobilizing the joints above and below an injury to prevent movement at the fracture site. Then, the splint is removed and replaced by a cast. 

Some breaks might also require surgery in order to properly align bone fragments, increase stability, and ensure that bones will heal properly. Some fractures might also require metal hardware (pins, plates, or rods) to hold the bones in place. Older adults heal slower than younger people, which can cause additional complications and mobility issues for nursing home residents. 

How we can help

Depending on the circumstances regarding the fractured bones, the medical facility may be responsible for the damages relating to the fracture.  In many cases, we have successfully recovered damages for our clients', medical bills, medical equipment, pain and disability.  If you believe that a nursing home is responsible for your broken bone, we would be honored to speak with you to discuss your legal rights. (888) 424-5757

Resources:

Mayo Clinic: Fractures

Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory: Why Older People Suffer More Bone Fractures

Science Daily: Risk of Bone Fractures Associated with Use of Diabetes Drug

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Nursing Home Staff Must Take Precautions While Moving & Transferring Disabled Patients To Minimize Risk Of Dropping

Fall In Stairwell Results In Paralysis-- And Ultimately Death Of Chicago Nursing Home Resident

Nursing Home Sued After Resident Fractures Both Hips In Separate Falls

Nursing Home Cited For Mistreatment Of Resident Following Investigation Of Resident's Fractured Neck

The most dangerous part of the day for many nursing home patients may be getting out of bed in the morning.  When staff fail to supervise or provide proper assistance to nursing home patients during transfers, patients are at risk for falls or being dropped by staff.

Disabled nursing home patients and those with physical limitations must be carefully monitored to avoid injuries while being transferred from one device to another.  Some of the commonly encountered situations where patients are injured include:

• Bathing: facilities failing to provide assistance or provide specialized bathing equipment including chairs, stands and grips
• Transfer into and out of bed
• Failing to take extra-precautions with patients who may have uncontrolled muscle movement: many times these patients require special restraints during transfers
• Failing to take patient medications into the equation: some commonly prescribed medications can make patients dizzy or cause blood pressure spike or drops when patients are moved
• Failing to engage locks on wheelchairs
• Allowing patients to wear socks or improper footwear during transfers
• Failing to monitor patients with walkers

Although facilities like to claim that these incidents are isolated events, a dropped patient is usually indicative of poor staff training and chronic under-staffing.  Most of these transfer-related incidents occur due to:

• Poorly trained staff: Some facilities do not properly train staff in how to use equipment
• Under-staffing: Facilities sometimes to not have enough man power to safely perform transfers as they were intended
• Wrong equipment: facilities must have the proper equipment for the job
• Faulty equipment: facilities must keep equipment in proper repair.  This includes getting replacement parts from the manufacturer
• Failing to provide timely assistance to patients who request it

Cases involving injury or death during transfer are particularly important to investigate as quickly as feasible after the incident in order to preserve the condition of equipment and to obtain statements from witnesses others who may have knowledge of the event.  

If your loved one suffered an injury or died as a result of a fall or being 'dropped' by staff, we would honor the opportunity to speak with you.  Our nursing home litigation team is always available for consultation. (888) 424-5757

Related Nursing Homes Abuse Blog Entries:

Nursing Home Waits 19 Hours To Provide Medical Treatment To Resident Who Fractured Her Hip During Sabina Lift Transfer

Nursing Home Cited For Mistreatment Of Resident Following Investigation Of Resident's Fractured Neck

Faulty Handicapped Lift Blamed For Nursing Home Death

Improper Transfer Leads To Fall & Ultimately Death Of Rehab Patient

The episode took place on November 21st when a worker at the facility improperly used a Sabina lift to move a resident with dementia into a wheelchair.  During the transfer, the resident fell and fractured her hip.

A 'care plan' specifically stated that the resident was to wear shoes or gripper socks during transfers. At the time of the incident, the resident was wearing stockings that "enabled her feet to slip from the base of the lift, causing her to fall onto her right hip," according to the state's investigative report.

The resident involved in the incident suffered a stroke prior to her admission and was unable speak and was dependent on the staff for daily living activities.  Despite the resident's disabilities, six staff at the facility were aware of the resident's fall and the possibility of her injury because she was behaving differently after the episode-- yet no medical attention was provide for more than 19 hours after the fall occurred.

The morning following the incident, the resident was transferred to a hospital where and x-ray confirmed the woman's hip was indeed fractured.  The hip fracture required surgery.

Good Samaritan terminated the employee who was operating the lift and the nurse-supervisor following their own investigation into the matter.  According to the nursing home's own investigation, the employee responsible for the lift also failed to provide 'satisfactory' care to two other residents in the days following the lift incident.

Read more about this nursing home injury during a transfer here.

Transfers In Nursing Homes

A 'transfer' in a nursing home setting generally refers to moving a patient from a bed to a wheelchair. Transfers are usually done two ways: using nursing assistants or mechanically (Hoyer / Sabina lift). The type of transfer depends mainly on the patients physical condition.  If a patient is capable of providing some assistance, a staff lift (one or two person transfer) is generally done.  However, if a patient is paralyzed or suffers from physical disability, the use of a mechanized lift may be required to safely transfer the patient.

The choice of how to transfer a patient from a bed to a wheelchair is up to the facility.  A determination of the type of transfer should be part of the evaluation when a person is admitted to the facility and for quarterly reviews of nursing home patient needs.  It is crucial for the staff at the facility to use the properly predetermined transfer technique or the nursing home resident is at risk to injury. 

If you or a relative sustained an injury during a 'transfer' to wheelchair, walker or toilet, there is a strong likelihood the staff responsible for supervising made an error.  We have handled many similar lift-related injury cases.  Put our experience to work for you.  To speak with our team of nursing home attorneys, call (888) 424-5757.