SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Manorcare at Urbana $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to provide adequate supervision and assistance to prevent an accident. The 100-bed skilled care facility is located at 600 N. Coler Ave. in Urbana.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned a resident, who had been previously diagnosed with difficulty in swallowing, was left alone in the dining room after lunch and choked on a peanut butter and jelly sandwich. A staff member passing by with another resident noticed the woman, with a two-inch wad of bread in her mouth, choking. She performed the Heimlach maneuver approximately six times while calling for help. The resident was transported to the hospital where she died two days later.

The woman had had a choking incident about six weeks before that required treatment at a local hospital. The resident's care plan called for her to be observed at all meals and to be encouraged to take small bites of food with liquids.

While conducting the complaint investigation, Department surveyors observed another resident, who was on a soft diet and had difficulty swallowing, sitting unattended in the dining room chewing food. The resident, who was known to hide food to eat later, was to be checked after meals.

A Department ordered plan of correction required the facility to train staff on their responsibilities to assure a resident's personal care and nursing needs are met and to provide eating assistance.

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