Illinois Nursing Home Faces Possible Closure
Regal Health and Rehab Center, a nursing home facility located in Oak Lawn, Illinois, faces possible closure despite correcting recent violations and becoming compliant with state and federal regulations. We had discussed Regal Health and Rehab Center in a previous blog. The facility was recently cited for dirty drinking fountains and appliances, water damaged ceilings, rodent droppings on the floors, employees washing their hands in sinks containing food, and employees smoking in the building.
The Illinois Department of Public Health is seeking to close the facility for their history of repeat offenses of noncompliance with state and federal regulations. According to Melany Arnold, a spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health, "The state feels we have grounds to seek license revocation." The spokeswoman acknowledged that the facility is currently in compliance, but that has not always been the case. Arnold further said, "Regal has not made corrections soon enough or to the level it needs to be corrected." Regal has requested a hearing, which will be on July 27, 2009.
In April 2009, a resident attached to an oxygen machine lit and smoked a cigarette, causing a small fire. The patient suffered burns and died shortly afterwards. In 2004, Regal was fined $10,000 by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failing to investigate an alleged sexual abuse.
The Terry Law Firm is experienced in handling cases of nursing home abuse and neglect. Please contact us with any questions or concerns at (888) 317-2525 or visit us on our website at www.nursinghomejustice.com.
