December 21, 2000

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Torrence Place $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for not providing appropriate nursing services to a resident whose condition deteriorated after he suffered a head injury. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 2601 223rd St. in Sauk Village.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors found that the resident's behavior, mobility and eating habits changed for the worse three weeks after he fell backwards off some steps and struck his head. Staff told surveyors they thought his dozing off and lethargy had to do with a change in the weather.

Even though he needed assistance walking, barely ate and was described by staff as "very ill and very weak," the resident was sent each day to an offsite workshop training program On one trip, the resident fell while exiting the transport bus and needed five stitches to close a cut inside his mouth.

The next day the resident was again sent to the workshop, although it took two staff to get him on the bus and a workshop staffer to lift him off the bus. The resident's physician ordered the man be taken to the hospital and, shortly after being evaluated, he was taken to surgery for a brain hemorrhage. Less than a week later, the man was discharged from the hospital and described as alert, walking with staff assistance and eating by himself.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required facility administration to ensure guidelines are in place to meet the personal safety and health needs of its residents.

Torrence Place has requested a hearing on the Department's action. A hearing date has not been scheduled.