February 29, 2000

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Heritage House of Charleston $20,000 (Statement of Violations) and moved to revoke the facility’s license for failure to provide proper nursing care, to properly assess resident medical conditions and to supervise its residents. The 91-bed intermediate care facility is located at 738 18th St. in Charleston.

As part of an annual licensure survey and complaint investigation, Department surveyors found the facility did not monitor and treat two residents with rapidly deteriorating health conditions who later died.

In one instance, a 49-year-old resident suffering from severe constipation complained of a sore back, refused to eat and was lethargic. Staff did not notify the resident’s physician or properly monitor the resident, who died from “septic shock.”

A 73-year-old resident, who suffered from chronic constipation, was improperly monitored after returning from a hospital emergency department for treatment of hyperactive bowels. The resident became groggy and confused, but his physician was not notified until he was found unresponsive in the restroom. He died from cardiac arrest related to a colon perforation.

The Department also learned the following:

• The facility failed to ensure the physical safety of a 25-year-old resident, who was sexually abused by a 58-year-old resident.
• The facility did not follow proper procedures to prevent resident elopements. On separate occasions, six different residents at risk for elopement left the facility unnoticed. The facility is located on a heavily traveled highway. Surveyors observed instances where door alarms were either not activated or ignored when sounded.
• Staff did not prevent residents from digesting non-food items, as evidenced by a 28-year-old resident who required surgery to remove objects from his abdomen and colon.
• There was substantial disregard for hygiene or sanitary measures. Residents were observed sitting or laying in their own urine or feces and wandering around naked or partially clothed.
• Staff used harsh, sarcastic language with a resident while other residents were present.
• Staff failed to provide proper nursing care in accordance with individual resident needs. Examples included failure to administer dietary supplements, to obtain results of physician ordered tests and to follow directions to discontinue a resident’s medication.

Heritage House of Charleston has requested a hearing on the Department’s action. A hearing date has not been scheduled.

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