SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Chestnut Manor $10,000 (Statement of Violation), for failure to properly monitor a resident after she sustained a head injury. The 16-bed intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 1404 S. 14th St. in Herrin.

Responding to a complaint, Department investigators learned that the resident had become agitated after being removed from a daily activity bus and repeatedly banged her head against a brick wall. Two weeks later, the resident became unresponsive and was transferred to a hospital where she underwent surgery for a blood clot in her head. She died 10 days later.

Interviews with staff revealed they did not conduct a neurological check after the resident struck her head, per the facility's policy and procedures for head injuries, and they did not notify the resident's physician. The physician said he would have expected to be informed of the incident so he could have examined the resident.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to notify a resident's physician in a timely manner of any accident, injury or significant change in condition, and to have written policies and procedures for injuries and to ensure staff follows them.

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