Failure to Use Gait Belt Results in Resident’s Severe Leg Fractures At Rushville Nursing & Rehab

The Illinois Department of Health has cited and fined Rushville Nursing & Rehab Center when staff failed to use a required gait belt while helping a legally blind resident walk, resulting in a fall that caused multiple severe fractures and required surgery.

The resident in question had a history of muscle weakness and osteoporosis and required substantial assistance with most movements. The resident was also legally blind and was only capable of seeing shadows.

On the day of the incident the resident was being helped to walk when they “went to pivot and tried to sit too soon and fell to the floor.” The fall resulted in multiple severe fractures, including what hospital records described as a “comminuted, displaced distal, femoral shaft/metaphysis fracture.” The injuries were so severe that the resident had to be airlifted to another hospital for specialized treatment.

The hospital surgical report revealed the extent of the injuries, showing the resident required “open reduction, internal fixation, left supracondylar distal femur fracture with intracondylar extension; and intramedullary fixation of a right tibial shaft fracture.” After surgery, facility notes indicated the resident “experienced a decline in her ability to function.”

The Director of Rehabilitation emphasized that the resident required three things for safe walking: one staff member’s assistance, a front-wheeled walker, and a gait belt. They stated firmly that “Everyone should have a gait belt used unless they are independent.” Multiple staff members, including other Certified Nursing Assistants, confirmed these requirements. The resident themselves confirmed they were not wearing a gait belt when the fall occurred.

Facility policy stated, “Gait belts should be used by all staff when ambulating or transferring a resident with an unsteady gait.”

The facility took decisive action following the incident. The Administrator confirmed that the nursing assistant who failed to use the gait belt “was terminated for not following the facility Gait Belt Policy.”

This case highlights how failing to follow basic safety protocols can result in serious injury to vulnerable residents, particularly those with multiple risk factors such as visual impairment, muscle weakness, and osteoporosis.

One of our core beliefs is that nursing homes are built to fail due to the business model they follow and that unnecessary accidental injuries and wrongful deaths of nursing home residents are the inevitable result. Our experienced Chicago nursing home lawyers are ready to help you understand what happened, why, and what your rights are. Contact us to get the help you need.