SPRINGFIELD, IL – Riverview Terrace has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to protect residents from abuse by other residents, to investigate an allegation of staff abuse toward a resident, and to investigate injuries of an unknown origin. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 201 Spring St. in Rosiclare.

As part of a special licensure survey, the Department determined three residents had been involved in multiple incidents of abuse and mistreatment of other residents over a seven-month period. One resident repeatedly went into other residents' rooms and removed their clothing while they were sleeping. On one occasion, the resident kept other residents awake all night by going into each room, turning on the lights and slamming the doors.

Two residents told surveyors they were afraid of this resident, and others lodged complaints against him during resident council meetings. Staff confirmed no action was taken as a result of the complaints.

A review of incident reports revealed another resident was often physically aggressive toward residents and staff. A Department investigator observed the resident banging chairs and doors, pushing tables, hitting staff and biting himself.

A third resident was physically abusive to two residents, one of whom had to be treated at a local hospital emergency department.

Surveyors found no documentation that the facility tried to intervene or stop the behavior and to protect residents from harm.

The facility also failed to investigate an allegation of staff abuse toward a resident. The resident services director said she talked with a resident who allegedly witnessed the abuse, but had not talked to the employee in question or had the resident examined for signs of abuse.

In addition, a review of incident reports found six residents had injuries of unknown origin suffered during transit from the facility to day training or on the return trip. The facility failed to investigate the incidents to determine the cause of injuries and to take corrective action.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to establish procedures to determine the most suitable therapy and placement for perpetrators of abuse in order to ensure the safety of other residents and employees, and to establish individualized programs to manage the behaviors of residents with aggressive behavior and to properly train staff to administer these programs. In addition, the facility was ordered to investigate all allegations of abuse and injuries of unknown origins and to take appropriate corrective measures.

Riverview Terrace has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.