SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Convalescent Care Center - Mattoon $10,000 (Statement of Violation), for failure to properly assess a resident's medical needs and to notify his doctor when his condition deteriorated. The 178-bed skilled care facility is located at 1000 Palm Ave. in Mattoon.

Responding to complaints, Department surveyors learned a resident had been dead for some time before staff discovered he had expired in his bed. Instead of physically checking on the resident during the night, staff peeked in the room to see if he was in bed. A nurse documented that the resident's breathing was even and non-labored even though he only listened from the door.

A month after his admittance to the facility, the resident became increasingly aggressive and his psychotropic medications were increased. A few days later, the resident became lethargic and was not eating or drinking well. The resident's physician was not notified of his deteriorating condition until after his death.

Nurse's notes on the day before the resident's death stated his lungs were clear and he had no cough. However, a nurse working that day told surveyors he was coughing up green phlegm, which she reported to her supervisors. This information was not documented nor was the resident assessed for respiratory problems even though several residents were being treated for respiratory infections.

The Department-ordered plan of correction required facility administration to ensure its staff conducts comprehensive assessments of residents and, when a significant change of condition is observed, to ensure proper physician notification.

Convalescent Care Center - Mattoon has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.