What constitutes nursing home abuse and neglect? Nursing home abuse and neglect takes many different forms; however, it usually results from a few corporate officials recklessly failing to hire, train and employ enough nursing home staff to care for and meet the needs of their residents. Whenever a nursing home corporation, through its actions or inaction, places profits over the interests of the people it is responsible for protecting, and harm results, doing so constitutes nursing home abuse. Of course, our most vulnerable citizens should not be placed in such a great risk of harm.
As a nursing home abuse lawyer who handles cases in Sarasota, Venice, Englewood, Bradenton and throughout Florida, I routinely examine complaint and annual survey investigations of area nursing homes. Of course, I also prosecute cases of nursing home abuse and neglect on behalf of families and their loved ones who have been harmed. I take calls from Florida citizens who are searching for a decent nursing home for the placement of a family member. If you are in the process of choosing a nursing home in Sarasota County, Manatee County or Charlotte County, Florida, you should be aware that the State of Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration regulates nursing homes and conducts annual surveys and complaint investigations. Those nursing homes with a pattern of problems are often placed on the state’s “Nursing Home Watch List.”
Safety Violations Surround Living Environment and Failure to Follow Orders
On November 3o, 2015 through December 3, 2015, the State of Florida Agency for Healthcare Administration conducted an unannounced investigation at Springwood Center, which is located at 4602 Northgate Court, Sarasota, Florida 34234. At that time, state investigators cited Springwood Center for failing to meet the guidelines set forth under the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 signed into law by President Ronald Reagan, as well as Florida’s Administrative Code. Those citations of deficiencies against Springwood Center included:
F 253 Failing to provide housekeeping and maintenance services necessary to maintain a sanitary, orderly and comfortable interior.
F 256 Failing to provide adequate and comfortable lighting levels in all areas.
F 282 Failing to ensure that the services provided or arranged by the facility meet professional standards of quality and are provided by qualified persons in accordance with each resident’s written plan of care.
F 371 Failing to ensure that the facility stores, prepares, distributes and serves food under sanitary conditions.
F456 Failing to maintain all essential mechanical, electrical, and patient care equipment in safe operating condition.
N 054 Failing to follow physicians’ orders on behalf of residents.
The complete survey investigation is available for review at www.floridahealthfinder.gov. Nursing home facilities like Springwood Center are required to comply with the above provisions that are contained within the Nursing Home Reform Act of 1987 in exchange for receiving taxpayer money through Medicare and Medicaid. Local Venice Nursing home abuse and neglect lawyer, James Keim, seeks to hold those nursing homes accountable for the serious harm they cause by failing to follow the law and neglecting and abusing the most frail and vulnerable citizens in Florida which they are obligated to protect. Remember to always decline, cross out and say “ no thanks” to arbitration clauses contained within nursing home admissions agreements.
Have Questions About Springwood Center or another Nursing Home?
If you have questions about a Florida nursing home or wish to discuss a potential case of abuse and neglect with a Sarasota nursing home abuse lawyer who has evaluated and handled hundreds of claims, please feel free to call me, James Keim, Attorney at Law at (941) 485-7600. I always provide a free consultation and personally handle every case, and you will not be passed off to some middleman or junior level associate. All cases are handled on a contingency fee and cost basis. This means that you pay no fee or costs unless we obtain a settlement, award or verdict.