SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Harris Place $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 209 Harris Road in East Peoria.

Responding to an incident report, Department investigators learned the facility mixed up medications for two residents and sent the wrong medications with them as they left to attend church. Upon returning to the facility, a female resident's blood pressure began to drop and she became very lethargic. The resident was taken to the emergency department where she was admitted to the intensive care unit in serious condition.

A review of the facility's incident report revealed that envelopes containing two residents' medications were switched. The female resident was to receive physician-ordered topical medications for her eyes and a calcium antacid, but instead received medications intended for a male resident for hypertension and seizures and a blood thinner.

The facility discovered the mistake when the man returned to the facility, but staff did not attempt to notify the church of the error or to retrieve the woman. When the female resident returned to the facility one hour later, she confirmed she had taken the medications. The facility did not contact her physician to determine the risk associated with ingesting the wrong medications or to immediately transport the woman to the hospital for evaluation.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review its policy regarding administering medications and reporting of medication errors and adverse drug reactions.

Harris Place has requested a hearing on the Department's actions. No hearing date has been scheduled.