SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Meadowbrook Manor-Naperville $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to follow its policy for administering life-saving treatment in a medical emergency. The 235-bed skilled care facility is located at 720 Raymond Drive in Naperville.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned a nurse, after being informed a resident had been found unresponsive sitting in her wheelchair, failed to immediately evaluate the resident's condition or to initiate cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), as required by facility policy and the woman's care plan. The resident was pronounced dead at the facility.

An aide told surveyors she informed the nurse of the resident's condition, but the nurse told her the woman could not "be dead" and to "put her back to bed." The nurse did not check on the resident until after the aide had moved the woman and changed her clothes.

According to the facility's investigation report, the nurse said she administered CPR for about five minutes but stopped because the resident had no vital signs. The facility's policy requires that CPR, once initiated, be continued until paramedics arrive to take over resuscitation efforts.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required facility administration to ensure that staff are properly trained in administering CPR and in following a resident's emergency medical treatment decisions.

Meadowbrook Manor-Naperville has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.