SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Briar Place $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for not properly supervising a resident with Alzheimer's disease who had been identified as a high risk for wandering. The 232-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 6800 W. Joliet in Indian Head Park.

Six days after the 79-year-old man was discovered missing from Briar Place, the Cook County Sheriff's Office reported his body had been located about 1,700 feet from the facility in an overgrown area near Route 66 (Joliet Road).

The resident had been fitted with a sensor bracelet that was designed to sound an alarm if he attempted to leave the facility's third floor. One staff member told surveyors she recalled hearing an alarm the morning the resident disappeared, but it was turned off after a stairwell was checked. When the man could not be located, staff searched the grounds and surrounding areas, and called police.

Department surveyors tested the facility's alarm system and discovered there was no audible sound when a person wearing a sensor entered one of the third floor's elevators. In addition, surveyors were told by staff that a first floor rear delivery door was frequently left unlocked and it did not have an alarm. All exterior doors are either to be equipped with an alarm to alert staff if a resident leaves the building or to be supervised by staff at all times.

A Department imposed plan of correction required the facility to take the needed steps to assure residents are adequately supervised and receive the care necessary to meet their needs, all exterior doors are equipped with an alarm and the Department is promptly notified of a serious incident involving a resident. The facility's administrator failed to inform the Department of the resident's disappearance within 24 hours as required by state nursing home regulations.

Briar Place has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.