SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Bel-Wood Nursing Home $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to properly assess its residents when a change in condition occurs and to provide nursing services in accordance with resident needs. The 300-bed skilled care facility is located at 6701 W. Plank Road in Peoria.

Responding to complaints, Department investigators learned facility nurses did not respond for almost three hours to a resident who complained she was having difficulty breathing. The resident was taken to a local hospital and required treatment for pneumonia and congestive heart failure.

Per staff member and resident interviews, surveyors found that even though facility nurses had frequently been notified of the resident's change in condition, they did not quickly evaluate her situation or report the symptoms to her physician. According to facility records, nursing staff conducted only one assessment of the resident's condition and that occurred just prior to her being sent to the hospital.

Facility staff failed to follow up on another resident's condition after becoming aware of her declining appetite. Four days later, the resident was hospitalized for a urinary tract infection and dehydration. According to facility records, the resident's nutritional and fluid intake had significantly decreased, but surveyors could not find documentation staff had attempted to determine the cause of her reduced consumption or to re-examine her level of care.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review its policies and procedures to ensure a comprehensive assessment is conducted when there is a significant change in a resident's condition and the resident's physician is immediately notified.

Bel-Wood Nursing Home has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.