BRIA of Chicago Heights Violations & Ratings

BRIA of Chicago Heights in South Chicago Heights, IL, is a nursing home that provides care and assistance to seniors who need help with daily living and medical needs. Despite their promise of quality care, this facility has had many complaints and regulatory actions against them.

If your loved one has been injured here, act fast to protect their rights and health. Contact us today to schedule a consultation, and we’ll help you get them the care and justice they deserve.

Quick Facts

• Facility: BRIA of Chicago Heights
• Address: 120 W 26th St, South Chicago Heights, IL 60411
• CMS Rating: 1 out of 5 stars – Much Below Average
• CMS Health Inspection: 2 out of 5 stars
• CMS Staffing: 1 out of 5 stars
• CMS Quality Measures: 4 out of 5 stars
• Federal Fines in last three years: 2 totaling $8,848
• Medicare Denials in previous three years: 0
• Consumer Alert: Yes, severe deficiencies
• Bed Capacity: 112
• Ownership: For-Profit

Facility

Bria, Chicago Heights, is a long-term care facility that offers various services to meet the needs of its senior residents. It provides 24-hour nursing care, rehabilitation programs, hospice care, and assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). It also has specialized care for residents with dementia to create a structured and supportive environment for them.

However, despite these services, this nursing home has had many violations and complaints. Its record is a big red flag for the safety and health of its residents, which led to investigations and regulatory actions.

CMS Ratings and Performance

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) uses a nationwide star rating system for nursing homes. This system rates facilities on performance, health inspections, staffing, and quality measures.

Understanding the quality of care in Illinois nursing homes, as outlined by the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act, is crucial. This legal framework helps ensure that facilities meet specific standards and provides a basis for evaluating their performance.

BRIA of Chicago Heights has 1 out of 5 stars overall from CMS, which is much below average. The facility’s health inspection and staffing ratings are shallow, with 2 and 1 stars, respectively. These low ratings indicate significant deficiencies in primary care and ongoing staffing and oversight issues. The 4-star quality measures don’t compensate for the severe flaws in other areas.

The CMS has also fined this facility $8,848 in the last three years. These penalties show the seriousness of the nursing home’s problems and the urgency of the need for improvement.

Services

This nursing home offers services vital to its residents’ health and well-being. These are:

• 24-Hour Nursing Care: The facility provides continuous medical support, and licensed nurses are always available to address the health needs of the residents.
• Rehabilitation Programs: Nursing home residents can access physical, occupational, and speech therapy to help them regain or maintain their independence.
• Daily Living Assistance: Staff assist residents with daily living activities such as bathing, dressing, eating, and mobility.
• Specialized Programs: The facility has specialized care for residents with cognitive impairment, including dementia, to create a structured environment for them.
• Pest Control Program: This nursing home has a pest control program to ensure a pest-free environment and maintain high standards of health and living conditions.

Despite these services, U.S. News and World Report speak about inconsistent quality of care. Inadequate staffing and poor management practices have contributed to subpar care and raised questions about the facility’s ability to meet the needs of its residents.

Violations and Citations

This nursing home has many violations that have raised concerns among residents, families, and regulatory agencies. These violations cover various critical areas, including inadequate staffing, poor sanitation, and failure to provide necessary medical care. The facility has been investigated by state and federal agencies and received citations and penalties.

The facility has also faced issues with other pests, such as mice and insects, raising concerns about health and safety.

The most severe violations are those related to resident safety and health. Reports of neglect, improper medication administration, and poor infection control practices surfaced, putting residents at risk. These issues affected not only the physical health of the residents but also their overall quality of life.

Examples of Poor Care

Several troubling incidents have been reported at BRIA of Chicago Heights, highlighting serious concerns about the care provided at the facility. For instance, residents have suffered from severe bedsores, a direct result of being left unattended for extended periods. Pressure ulcers have developed because staff failed to regularly turn or reposition immobile residents, a basic standard of care in nursing homes.

In another alarming case, a resident with diabetes did not receive the critical monitoring and care required to manage their condition. The lack of proper oversight led to severe health deterioration, showcasing the facility’s inability to provide the necessary medical attention.

Regulatory Reports, Health Inspections and Findings

State and federal regulatory bodies have consistently found severe deficiencies at BRIA of Chicago Heights. Inspection reports show staffing shortages and violations of essential health and safety standards. The nursing home has been fined, placed under increased regulatory oversight, and sometimes faced operational restrictions for failing to meet required standards.

Despite efforts to fix the problems, the facility still has systemic issues that affect primary care. The ongoing nature of these violations shows deep-rooted management and operational issues that need to be addressed urgently.

The Impact On Residents

The violations at BRIA of Chicago Heights have affected the health and safety of its residents. The facility’s inadequate staffing and failure to provide necessary medical care have resulted in many preventable incidents, including falls, infections, and other serious health issues.

One of the most disturbing aspects of care in this facility is the lack of adequate infection control. During outbreaks of contagious diseases, inadequate precautions put residents at risk and resulted in higher-than-average illness and, in some cases, death. Neglect of residents with chronic conditions like diabetes also resulted in worsening health outcomes and preventable complications.

Emotional and Psychological

Besides physical health concerns, the subpar care at BRIA of Chicago Heights also affected the emotional and psychological well-being of its residents. Many residents reported feelings of neglect, isolation, and anxiety due to inadequate care and an unsafe environment in the facility.

The effects of nursing home neglect and abuse are devastating. Residents who receive poor care often experience a decline in mental health, suffering from depression, anxiety, and a decreased quality of life. For older adults who already have the challenges of aging, the added stress of living in an unsafe environment can worsen these issues and further compromise their overall health and well-being.

Resident Examples

Several documented cases of substandard care have occurred at this nursing home, significantly impacting residents’ health and well-being. According to federal reports and health inspections, the facility has faced numerous deficiencies, particularly the failure to prevent neglect and provide adequate supervision.

For example, inspections revealed that staff failed to adequately reposition residents who were immobile, leading to severe bedsores that caused significant pain and suffering. These ulcers sometimes became infected, further endangering vulnerable residents’ health.

Additionally, they were cited for medication errors that put patients at risk. In one case, a resident did not receive their prescribed diabetes medication on time, leading to severe complications. This lack of appropriate medical attention contributed to a decline in the resident’s overall health, demonstrating the facility’s failure to provide basic medical care.

The documented deficiencies have led to significant physical, emotional, and psychological harm to residents, underscoring the critical need for improvements at the facility to prevent further neglect and abuse.

Legal Remedies

Residents of nursing homes have many legal rights that protect their safety and well-being. These rights are defined by federal and state laws that set standards for the care and treatment of nursing home residents.

One of the most fundamental rights is receiving proper and necessary care, including protection from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. When a nursing home fails to meet these standards, a resident and their family can take legal action to seek justice and compensation.

Patients must be treated with dignity and respect in addition to the right to proper care. These rights include participation in their care, privacy rights, and the right to live safely and cleanly. Residents and their families can pursue legal remedies to hold the facility accountable when these rights are violated.

Legal Actions Against the Facility

Given the history of violations and subpar care, affected residents and their families can pursue the following:

• Negligence Lawsuit: Residents harmed by the facility’s negligence can file a lawsuit for compensation for their injuries. This may include medical expenses, pain and suffering, and other related costs.
• Abuse or Wrongful Death Claim: In cases where a resident was abused or died due to the facility’s actions or inactions, families can file an abuse or wrongful death claim. These claims will hold the facility accountable for the harm and may result in significant compensation.
• Regulatory Action: Besides legal action, residents and their families can file complaints with state and federal regulatory agencies. These complaints will trigger further investigation, fines, and penalties for the facility to prevent future harm to other residents.

Why Seek Legal Help

If your family has been affected by issues at this nursing home, seeking legal help is crucial to protect your loved one’s rights. At Nursing Home Law Center, we specialize in cases of neglect and abuse in long-term care facilities. We will guide you on what steps to take and how to navigate the legal process.

Our Chicago nursing home abuse lawyers can help you gather evidence, file claims, and negotiate settlements. We’ll represent you in court to ensure your voice is heard and your rights are protected. 

If you suspect your loved one was harmed, it’s important to act quickly. Call our law firm at (800) 926-7565 or fill out this contact form for a free consultation.