July 13, 2000

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Martin Luther Homes $5,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to provide proper nursing care to its residents. The 12-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 510 E. Water St. in Pontiac.

A Department investigation found the facility violated its own policy of providing quarterly health assessments to residents, supervising its residents and training its staff.

For example, during a six-month period, surveyors discovered a 38-year-old resident had fallen 26 times, including twice down the facility's stairs, and had experienced 25 seizures. The resident, who suffers from a seizure disorder, however, had not had a medical assessment for a half year and there was no evidence in his chart that he had been assessed for injuries after any of his falls. In addition, staff did not monitor his fluid or food intake to prevent a drop in weight and failed to follow his physician's orders to provide a laxative for a reoccurring constipation problem.

In another case, a 28-year-old resident with a history of uncontrolled seizures was to be monitored while bathing, but a staff member left the resident alone in the bathtub. When the staffer returned to check on the resident, he was found having a seizure that lasted 11 minutes. Surveyors noted the resident's condition was not evaluated after his seizure and precautions were not taken to prevent future occurrences.

Martin Luther Homes 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