SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Chateau Center $5,000(Statement of Violation) for failure to prevent abuse of a resident by staff members. The 150-bed skilled care facility is located at 7050 Madison St. in Willowbrook.

Responding to a complaint, Department investigators learned the facility did not, as required by its policy, take immediate action to remove two employees from resident care after allegations were made that they had abused a resident.

Upon reviewing the resident's care plan, surveyors found no specific procedures for transferring the resident, who requires extensive assistance for movement. While moving the man from his bed to a wheelchair, the employees were observed grabbing his neck, pulling on his legs and, as he began to fall forward, shoving him back in the chair, causing bruises on his chest.

Following this incident, a review of the facility's staffing schedules revealed the two employees continued to provide direct care to residents and, four days after the incident, one of the employees allegedly hit another resident on the arm three times. Both employees have resigned.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to train its employees on reporting incidents of suspected abuse or neglect and to take precautions on preventing the reoccurrence of abuse.

Chateau Center has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.