Morgan Park Nursing Home Failed to Disclose Staff Member Choking Patient: Report

CHICAGO, IL -- Ald. Matt O’Shea (19th) is advising anyone with relatives or friends staying at a Morgan Park nursing home to check up on them after the staff there failed to report a resident’s allegations of abuse, according to an Illinois Department of Public Health report.

Belhaven Nursing Home and Rehabilitation, 11401 S. Oakley Ave., Chicago, was issued a “Statement of Deficiencies” after inspectors found the home to not be in compliance with federal regulations when staff failed to follow legally required procedures in reporting a resident’s claims of abuse.

According to the IDPH report, during the overnight hours of Oct. 15-16, an 89-year-old resident with Parkinson’s as well as emphysema and dysphagia, called staff repeatedly for assistance with an incontinence issue. The conditions caused the patient to suffer breathing and mobility difficulties.

“The resident stated the certified nurse’s aide choked, hit and scratched the resident because the CNA said the resident was wet and calling repeatedly. The resident stated a nurse came into the room did nothing about it,” the inspection report said.

A further review of the facility revealed that a nurse supervisor examined the resident and determined scratches on the resident’s lower neck and chest were consistent with the resident’s allegations of the abuse that had transpired.

Some residents in a nearby room also reported hearing a scuffle and yelling during the time frame and that they were “disturbed” by the noise. Belhaven’s director of nursing confirms the nurse’s aide admitted hitting the patient.

The report also maintains that upon being notified of the incident, Belhaven failed to immediately removed the staff member from the facility. Instead, the employee was allowed to finish the workday, possibly endangering other patients’ safety. While the employee has since been terminated, the report also alleges that Belhaven failed to report the abuse to authorities.

Belhaven was given ten days to submit an action plan to IDPH to correct the more serious deficiencies. The nursing home's failure to address and remedy these issues can result in a number of consequences including denial of Medicare/Medicaid payments, civil penalties and/or termination of the facility's provider agreement.

A docket search on the Circuit Clerk of Cook County website indicated 26 lawsuits filed against the facility between 2010 and 2016. In an email blast to residents, O’Shea said that his office requested an investigation of the nursing last year in response to patient complaints.

The alderman further states that he has requested a review and resources from the Chicago Department of Family and Support Services.

“I would ask anyone with a friend or family member living at Belhaven to please check on them,” O’Shea said..”Anyone with knowledge that would aide the Illinois Department of Public Health in their work with Belhaven is asked to contact my office at (773) 238-8766 or by email at mattoshea@the19thward.com.”

Photo: Belhaven Nursing and Rehabilitation Center website