SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Asta Care Center of Rockford $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for discontinuing the care necessary to sustain life without the consent of the resident or a legal guardian. The 130-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 707 Riverside Blvd.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned the facility assumed oversight of a resident's care after his son, who was his legal guardian, died. Due to the resident's deteriorating condition, the facility decided to discontinue all but one medication and to remove his feeding tube. He died five days later.

It was the facility's belief the resident had no other living relatives and, even though his former physician encouraged a search for next of kin, none was ever undertaken. The resident, in fact, was survived by a son, grandchildren, great grandchildren, nieces, nephews, cousins and his ex-wife. The ex-wife told surveyors no one ever called from the nursing home and she, or his nieces who live in the Rockford area, would have taken over guardianship.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to have staff follow policies and procedures regarding advanced directives and life-sustaining treatment and to periodically review resident charts to ensure an accurate evaluation of the resident's care wishes.

Asta Care Center has requested hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.