SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Colonial Manor $20,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to prevent resident abuse by a staff member. The 49-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 300 Church St. in Zeigler.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned the facility did not, as required by its policy, take immediate action to remove an employee from resident care after allegations were made by other staff that he had abused four residents.

Staff said they had observed the employee grab a resident in a bear hug, pick her up off the floor and carry her to the bathroom without her feet touching the ground. The employee also told another staffer that he had bruised a resident's back by pushing her against bed rails to keep her from attacking him. Facility staff were concerned for this resident's care because she had been placed under one-to-one supervision with the alleged abuser.

Surveyors learned the employee had a history of physical and verbal abuse with three other residents. He had been seen pushing them and heard using harsh language. Several staff members reported the abuse, but facility administration failed to investigate the allegations.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to train its employees on reporting incidents of suspected abuse or neglect, to properly investigate allegations of abuse and to take precautions on preventing the reoccurrence of abuse.

Colonial Manor has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.