October 31, 2000

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Wabash Christian Retirement $5,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to take the necessary precautions to prevent a resident elopement. The 160-bed skilled care facility is located on College Boulevard in Carmi.

Responding to an incident report, Department surveyors learned a 91-year-old resident, who has a history of wandering, left the facility unnoticed. A member of the community noticed the resident standing in front of a funeral home on Main Street, about two blocks away from the facility, looking confused and disoriented and notified the local police department. After being contacted by the police, facility staff identified the woman and returned her to the facility unharmed.

Although the resident wore a bracelet that is designed to activate a door alarm if she exited the building, staff indicated no alarm had sounded.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to maintain all exterior door alarms and ensure constant visual supervision for all resident-accessible exterior doors not equipped with alarms.

Wabash Christian Retirement has requested a hearing on the Department's action. A hearing date has not been scheduled.