SPRINGFIELD, Ill. -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has taken disciplinary action against two DuPage County long-term care facilities:

• Westbury Care Center, an 82-bed skilled and sheltered care facility located at 1800 Robin Lane in Lisle; and
• Wynscape, a 209-bed skilled and intermediate care facility located at 2180 Manchester Road in Wheaton.

Westbury was fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to promptly notify a resident's physician of a significant change in condition and to properly administer an enema.

The resident initially complained of abdomen and rib pain for more than six hours before his physician was informed. After the resident received two enemas, he still complained of pain, his blood pressure was elevated and blood was noted in his diaper, but again his physician was not immediately contacted.

Two hours later his doctor was called and staff were instructed to have the resident transported to the hospital. The resident had an emergency colostomy and died 10 days later of pneumonia and a tear in the rectal wall.

Department surveyors learned staff failed to follow the manufacturer's directions, facility policy and acceptable standards of practice regarding enema administration.

Wynscape was fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to provide adequate supervision to a resident who sustained a fractured arm after leaving the facility unnoticed. A driver saw the resident fall while walking down a busy road about two blocks from the facility and called police.

Department surveyors learned that the surveillance tape showed the resident slipping out of the facility when another resident was leaving with family members. An alarm sounded, but an employee turned it off without checking why the alarm went off or informing nursing staff.

Westbury and Wynscape requested hearings on the Department's actions. No hearing dates have been set.