April 16, 2001

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined River Bluff of Cahokia Nursing $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to follow its policy for life-saving treatment. The 130-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 3354 Jerome Lane in Cahokia.

Responding to a complaint, Department investigators were told by two staff members that cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was not performed on a resident found lying on the floor in his room, even though he gasped when his head was repositioned and his body was still warm. The resident’s record called for life-sustaining treatment and CPR.

One staffer said a licensed practical nurse (LPN), who was called to assist, was asked if the resident was dead and she answered “yes.” The LPN, however, later wrote in the resident’s chart that CPR was attempted after the man was returned to his bed. She informed Department surveyors that CPR was performed by giving five chest compressions, then one or two breaths, and so on, but the resident did not respond and his physician was contacted to pronounce him dead.

The facility’s policy on CPR calls for it to be done on a hard surface with a cycle of 15 chest compressions followed by two breaths until paramedics arrive or until a physician pronounces the resident dead and gives an order to discontinue CPR.

Upon arrival at the facility, paramedics found the resident unattended in his room and no CPR in progress.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to ensure that staff are properly trained for administering CPR and for following a resident’s emergency medical treatment decisions.

River Bluff of Cahokia Nursing has requested a hearing on the Department’s action. No hearing date has been set.