SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Burnham Healthcare $10,000 (Statement of Violation), for failure to properly assess the needs of a resident and to take the necessary precautions to ensure her safety. The 309-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 14500 S. Manistee in Burnham.

As part of an incident investigation, Department surveyors found a resident, who had Alzheimer's disease and was frequently confused, sustained four fractures to her legs after getting them caught in the side rails while attempting to get out of bed.

Staff put the resident back in bed and did not transport her to the hospital until 45 minutes after the incident. The emergency department nurse told surveyors that the resident had obvious fractures and deformities.

The resident had fallen out of bed twice before this incident, but the facility failed to remove the side rails and to reassess the resident for the use of alternative methods. The facility failed to follow its own policy, which stated that a confused resident should not have side rails but should be given a low bed instead.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to assess each resident for his/her need of side rails and restraints and to write care plans reflecting resident safety.

Burnham Healthcare has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.