May 25, 2000
HERRIN NURSING HOME FINED FOR RESIDENT ELOPEMENT
SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Shawnee Christian Nursing Center $5,000 (Statement of Violations) for failure to take the necessary precautions to prevent a confused elderly resident from leaving the facility. The 159-bed skilled care facility is located at 1901 13th St. in Herrin.
Acting on the facility's report of a resident elopement, Department surveyors learned that in January an 84-year-old woman was able to wander unnoticed from the nursing center. She was found by an off-duty staff member walking along North 13th Street about two blocks from the facility. The woman was dressed in a sweat suit and sweater in 35 degree weather and had been gone approximately 30 minutes. She was returned to the facility unharmed.
It was determined the resident left through an exit door that had not been properly activated to sound an alarm.
The facility was ordered to implement a plan of correction that ensures all exterior doors are either equipped with an alarm or are under constant visual supervision when there is not an alarm or the alarm is deactivated.
Shawnee Christian Nursing Center has request a hearing on the Department's action. A hearing date has not been scheduled.
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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 |