NEOGA FACILITY FINED FOR MEDICATION ERROR

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Heartland Christian Village has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for administering an overdose of medication that resulted in a resident’s death. The 71-bed sheltered and skilled care facility is located at 101 Trowbridge Road in Neoga.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned a resident died after receiving six times the prescribed amount of a drug used to treat gout. Instead of receiving one tablet every hour for four hours, the resident was given six tablets every hour for four hours.

A facility staff member said she questioned the physician’s nurse about the dosage, but was assured the prescription was correct. The physician’s nurse, however, told surveyors she was never questioned by the employee.

About five hours after receiving the last dose, the resident began vomiting and was transported to a local hospital emergency department. The resident died later the same day and a preliminary autopsy concluded the most probable cause of death was medication toxicity due to an overdose.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review its policies regarding the administration of medications, to notify a physician when a medication error is made and to provide training to employees on medication issues.

Heartland Christian Village has requested a hearing on the Department’s action. No hearing date has been scheduled.