SPRINGFIELD, IL – Sheridan Shores Care & Rehabilitation Center has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to provide nursing care in accordance with a resident's needs. The 188-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 5838 N. Sheridan Road in Chicago.

Responding to an incident report, Department investigators learned a resident, who had difficulty with swallowing, was taken to his room after he began to choke during lunch. Facility staff laid the resident down to suction him and, when his condition deteriorated, began cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The resident was transported to the hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival, just nine days after being admitted to the facility.

Per interviews, surveyors determined staff did not attempt to perform the Heimlich maneuver or to clear the resident's airway prior to initiating CPR as required by facility policy.

Three days before, the man had choked while eating dinner in his room. As a result of this incident, the resident's physician told facility staff to "monitor the resident" and a speech therapist recommended obtaining a physician's order for a swallowing evaluation. Surveyors found no evidence the resident was being monitored more closely or had a swallowing evaluation.

A Department ordered plan of correction required the facility to ensure its staff is properly trained in performing CPR and the Heimlich maneuver to assure residents' personal care and nursing needs are met.

Sheridan Shores Care & Rehabilitation Center requested a hearing on the Department's actions. No hearing date has been set.