SPRINGFIELD, IL – Jeffersonian Care Center in Mount Vernon has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to provide the necessary supervision to prevent residents from having accidents. The 65-bed skilled care facility is located at 1700 White St.

Responding to an incident report, Department surveyors found a 92-year-old resident died after her head and neck became wedged between a side rail and mattress. It was the second time the resident was found caught between the side rail and bed. After the first incident, the woman was treated at a local hospital for scrapes to her chest and knee.

The resident's care plan identified the resident as being at risk for injury, so the facility equipped her bed with side rails to assist with mobility. However, the facility continued to use side rails even after she was caught between the rails and bed the first time.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to evaluate residents to see that they receive adequate supervision and assistance to prevent accidents, to assess each resident for their need of side rails and restraints, and to write care plans reflecting resident safety.

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