SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Chateau Center $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to protect residents from abuse. The 150-bed skilled care facility is located at 7050 Madison St. in Willowbrook.

Responding to a complaint, Department investigators learned the facility failed to prevent two male residents from coercing female residents in its Alzheimer's and dementia unit to participate in inappropriate sexual behaviors. Between November 1999 and March 2001, investigators learned facility staff witnessed 10 instances of resident-on-resident sexual abuse.

On one occasion, a male resident was observed laying in his bed with an unclothed female client. According to a psychiatric evaluation conducted after the incident, the resident was aware of his inappropriate behavior and, for the safety of female residents on this unit, it was determined that he "did not belong there." The resident was moved but was transferred back into the unit and placed in a private room five months later. His room was located at the end of the hall, however, and was not visible from the nurse's station.

Nursing notes regarding another male resident document five separate times he was found with female residents in a sexually abusive situation. His evaluation suggested the facility should continuously monitor his whereabouts.

Surveyors were unable to determine why the facility housed these two male residents in the Alzheimer's and dementia unit. A review of their assessments indicated they were capable of independent movement, had moderate decision making skills and were not at risk for wandering.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to ensure all cases of abuse are throughly investigated and reported to the Department. This includes conducting an assessment of any resident involved in an abuse incident, taking appropriate actions to protect residents from further abuse, and monitoring and implementing appropriate interventions for the individuals perpetrating the abuse.

Chateau Center did not request a hearing on the Department's action.