NURSING HOME RESIDENT TREATED AT CHICAGO HOSPITAL FOR FATAL INJURIES AFTER CATCHING FIRE AT AN INDIANA LONG TERM FACILITY
An Indiana Nursing home resident, Rodney Kenney, died after catching fire while sitting in his wheelchair at Regency Place, a Dyer, Indiana, Lake County, nursing home. Rodney Kenney, 72, died at a Chicago hospital where he was treated for burns. State Inspectors say the Alzheimer's patient was severely burned when his clothing caught fire as he sat in a wheel chair. Authorities say they found a cigarette lighter near Kenney, but that he was not a smoker. In fact, state law prohibits smoking in nursing homes and patients are not allowed to possess smoking materials.
In their report, State inspectors concluded that the staff at Regency Place failed to properly supervise Kenney. In addition, they said they found numerous other problems:
• A nursing home staff member designated as a medication aide mixed up two residents' medications one day, leaving one woman sick and dizzy for two days;
• Regency Place didn't adequately screen two new employees;
• the nursing home wasn't adequately staffed., Mr. Kenney was found with a cigarette lighter near his wheelchair, even though he was not a smoker. He was, however, an Alzheimer patient who required substantial supervision.
Shortly after Mr. Kenney caught fire, state regulations arrived to investigate. To their amazement, they were informed that no one was in charge. As a result of the state investigation, the facility was cited for improperly supervising Mr. Kenney, as well as medication errors related to a second resident, inadequate staffing, and inadequate screening for employees. The facility faced fines and possible denial of Medicare and Medicaid payments for new admissions.
Nursing homes vary in the quality of care and services they provide to their residents. Reviewing health inspection results, staffing data, and quality measure data are three important ways to measure nursing home quality. This information gives you a "snap shot" of the care individual nursing homes give.
One of the most important things to do is to visit the nursing homes you are considering. If possible, also contact your Long-Term Care Ombudsman or State Survey Agency before making a decision. Take a copy of the Nursing Home Checklist when you visit a nursing home and talk to the nursing home staff about the information on this website.
Nursing home negligence is a disturbing and growing trend in our country. Kooi Law Firm handles these cases with the passion and conviction they deserve. Nursing homes are obligated to provide a safe and secure environment for all of their residents. When long-term care professionals neglect elderly patients, such neglect can often lead to severe injury including falls, bed sores, assaults, amputations and other abuse. Nursing homes are paid to protect and care for the weak and vulnerable. Kooi Law Firm helps victims and their families recover compensation for nursing home neglect and abuse. Holding nursing homes accountable for their conduct is important to our firm and we will do everything we can to expose a nursing home’s neglect and compensate your loved one.
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