SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Brooke Hill $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to properly administer physician-ordered medications. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at R.R. 3, Upchurch St. in Eldorado.

During an annual survey, Department surveyors discovered 21 medication errors had occurred over an 11-month period. In all, 10 of the facility's 16 residents had not received their medications, had taken an incorrect dosage or had been given the wrong medication.

For example, a resident with a seizure disorder did not receive two doses of her physician-ordered anti-convulsant medication and, according to facility records, the woman suffered three seizures. The resident's physician told surveyors she was not informed of the missed medications and indicated it "would have contributed" to the resident experiencing seizures.

Another resident was hospitalized for dehydration after she received two doses of an incorrect medication. Upon the woman's return to the facility, she again received the wrong medication.

Facility records revealed nine different staff members were responsible for the medication errors. The registered nurse in charge of training staff told surveyors she discussed errors with staff verbally, but did not document the conversations.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review its policies and procedures for administering physician-ordered medications, to provide training to employees on medication issues and to ensure a resident's doctor is immediately notified when a medication error occurs.

Brooke Hill did not request a hearing on the Department's action. The facility has paid the fine.