July 12, 2001

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined United Methodist Village $5,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to keep all radiators at a temperature that would prevent burns or to restrict resident access to the radiators. The 287-bed skilled, intermediate care and sheltered care facility is located at 1616 Cedar in Lawrenceville.

During an annual inspection, Department surveyors found the surface temperature of three radiators located on the third floor of the facility's Holden Center equal to or greater than 180 degrees and there were no barriers to limit resident access to the units. Residents on the floor were ambulatory and many were considered at risk for falls. There were no reports of residents being injured due to the excessive temperatures.

A Department ordered plan of correction required the facility to ensure that access by residents to any surface exceeding 140 degrees be blocked with partitions, screens, shields or other means to protect residents from injury. In addition, the facility was required to institute a weekly preventive maintenance schedule to check for thermal hazards and to document the results in a temperature log.

United Methodist Village has request a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.