SPRINGFIELD, IL – Washington Heights Nursing Home has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to provide nursing services in accordance with a resident's needs. The 228-bed skilled care facility is located at 1010 W. 95th St. in Chicago.

As part of an incident investigation, Department surveyors learned a resident, who was to be served a soft diet, began choking after eating polish sausage.

Staff performed cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and the Heimlich maneuver, and then called 911. An employee told paramedics the resident had choked, but was fine and only needed to go to the hospital for an evaluation. En route to the hospital, paramedics removed a two-inch piece of meat from the resident's airway.

The resident died at the hospital of acute food aspiration and cardiac and pulmonary arrest. The resident was assessed as having chewing and swallowing difficulties and needed to be supervised while eating and monitored for any signs of aspiration. Surveyors found no evidence the resident was closely monitored.

Surveyors also determined the facility failed to prepare and serve meals as ordered. Despite a physician's order in the resident's record, the employee who served the resident his food said she was not aware he was on a special diet.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review and revise, if necessary, its policies and procedures pertaining to dietary orders; to ensure that enough qualified staff are available to take care of residents; and to ensure staff abide by residents' dietary restrictions.

Washington Heights Nursing Home has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.