SPRINGFIELD, IL – Asta Care Center of Pontiac has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation), by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to prevent a resident from leaving the facility unsupervised. The 88-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 300 W. Lowell in Pontiac.

As part of an incident report investigation, Department surveyors learned a confused resident, who had a history of wandering and was assessed as being at risk for falls, sustained several lacerations and a broken arm requiring surgery after she left the facility undetected.

The resident was found about two blocks from the facility by passers-by who returned her to the facility. The resident was then transported to a hospital.

The last time staff reported seeing the resident, who they characterized as "determined to go home," she had gotten her purse and stated she was going to the doctor. A nurse said she tried to redirect the resident, but then went to help another resident.

Although the front door of the facility was alarmed, it had a keypad designed to defeat the alarm when the proper code was entered. The code was posted and visible to all residents. An employee told surveyors she once saw the resident entering the code and redirected her. All other doors had security cameras linked to monitors at the nurses station. However, some employees did not know how to operate the system.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to provide residents with adequate supervision and to train staff on their roles in monitoring residents to ensure their safety.

Asta Care Center of Pontiac has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.