December 28, 2004

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – Lena Nursing Home has been fined $5,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to prevent a resident from leaving the facility unsupervised. The 92-bed intermediate care facility is located at 1010 S. Logan St. in Lena.

As part of an annual inspection and an incident report investigation, the Department learned a resident was able to leave the facility undetected, despite being outfitted with an electronic monitoring device that is supposed to alert staff if the resident leaves the building. While driving home, an employee noticed the resident walking in a nearby parking lot and returned her to the facility.

Staff did not hear an alarm sound at the time of the resident’s disappearance, but a check of the device found it to be fully charged. However, when the bracelet device was tested at an exit door, it failed on numerous occasions. It was discovered that the alarm sensitivity setting was incorrect and needed to be adjusted in order to consistently detect the electronic device.

The resident was admitted to the facility because of her wandering behavior and attempts to leave her home. In the five days that she resided at the facility, the resident twice was able to leave the facility unsupervised and made four unsuccessful attempts. Following the latest incident, the resident was transferred to another facility.

Lena Nursing Home did not request a hearing and has paid the fine.