Despite claims on its Web site that its “philosophy is one of compassion,” the Waterfront Terrace Nursing Home in Chicago appeared quite differently to recent health department surveyors.
- Disposable razors in residents’ rooms
- Exposed wiring in bathrooms
- A large hole in the vending room ceiling
- A bag of expired medications from 2007, stored alongside current medications
The survey also found a number of environmental hazards, including:
A separate report, filed in December of 2010, identified a host of similarly disturbing trends. According to the report, Waterfront failed on at least nine occasions to screen for convicted felons – four of whom were admitted in 2010.
“During an interview on December 8th, the nursing administrator could not provide any risk assessments or criminal analysis for any of the nine identified offenders housed in the facility,” the report said. “Nor could the administrator provide documentation that the facility had ever requested risk assessments be done by the Department of Public Health or State Police.”
Along with the lack of screenings, there were multiple reports of one former felon getting into numerous altercations with fellow patients. One particularly violent fight, which occurred in October 2010, left the felon’s roommate with a bloody nose. The roommate required three stitches. Despite reports that the two men hadn’t gotten along since June, staff didn’t decide to separate them until after the fight.
Such volatile and irresponsible behavior should never be allowed to happen in a qualified nursing home. If you have a loved one at Waterfront Terrace who you feel was abused or mistreated, we would be honored to speak with you. Our legal consultations are always free and completely confidential.