SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined A.R.C. of Jacksonville $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for not implementing safeguards to prevent resident-to-resident abuse. The 93-bed intermediate care facility is located at 1316 Tendick in Jacksonville.

As part of an annual survey and complaint investigation, Department surveyors learned the facility failed to ensure residents exhibiting inappropriate sexual behaviors were provided with nursing care according to their needs.

Per facility records, facility staff did not protect a female resident from being molested by two male residents. One of the residents, who takes medication to curb his sexual tendencies, had displayed similar behaviors 67 times during the month prior to this incident. The resident was supposed to be enrolled in a behavior program beginning in July, but it was not started until October, after the female resident had been inappropriately touched.

The other male resident has a history of aggressive and improper actions toward staff and other residents; receives medication, as needed, to treat these behavioral problems; and is under 15-minute "safety checks" to monitor his conduct. Surveyors found no documentation these checks had been performed for at least five months, and the resident's physician told surveyors his "medication wasn't working."

A Department-ordered plan of correction required facility administration to train its staff regarding implementing interventions to prevent resident-to-resident abuse, completing a thorough evaluation of residents who demonstrate inappropriate behaviors and reporting and investigating incidents.

A.R.C. of Jacksonville has requested a hearing on the Department's actions. No hearing date has been scheduled.