SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Manorcare at Highland Park $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of its residents. The 215-bed skilled care facility is located at 2773 Skokie Valley Road in Highland Park.

Responding to a complaint, Department investigators learned a resident, who had a history of wandering and attempting to leave the facility, suffered injuries to his head, arms and chest when his wheelchair fell down a flight of stairs.

Surveyors determined the resident was able to exit through a second floor stairwell door that was equipped with an alarm, but is hard to hear. A review of the facility alarm system revealed the first floor lobby receptionist is responsible for notifying the second floor nurses' station when the alarm is triggered.

Facility employees told surveyors the resident repeatedly expressed a desire to "go home" and, 23 days prior to this incident, had made an attempt to "escape through the stairway door." The resident's care plan was not updated to address his behavior or attempted elopement. The Department-ordered plan of correction requires the facility to monitor potentially hazardous areas of the facility, to determine the effectiveness of the current alarm system and to ensure its residents have an up-to-date plan of care.

Manorcare at Highland Park has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.