June 2, 2000

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Cardinal Health Care of Energy has been fined $10,000 ( Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for not protecting residents from the aggressive behaviors of two residents admitted from a nearby mental health center. The 159-bed intermediate care and intermediate care for the developmentally disabled facility is located at 210 E. College in Energy.

Responding to a complaint, surveyors found that during a six-month period there were 31 incidents of resident-to-resident abuse, which were not reported to the Department as required by state law, that resulted in minor injuries to nine residents. It was determined that the facility failed to adequately investigate the incidents and did not properly evaluate the two residents responsible for initiating the physical attacks to determine the most suitable therapy and placement to protect their safety and the safety of the other residents and employees.

An 84-year-old resident with a history of physical aggression assaulted 21 other residents, injuring seven, and was himself struck three times by residents who retaliated after being attacked. The resident, who was admitted from Clyde L. Choate Mental Health and Developmental Center, had a history of random physical aggression. Surveyors also learned of a 41-year-old resident admitted from Choate who had punched a resident, attempted to choke a female resident and was verbally abusive to another resident. Both men have been transferred back to Choate.

A Department ordered plan of correction required the facility to review its policies and procedures related to the assessment of aggressive behaviors and to train staff on how to respond to incidents of resident-to-resident abuse.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments