SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Winston Manor Convalescent and Nursing $10,000 (Statement of Violation) for failure to take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of a resident and to investigate injuries. The 180-bed intermediate care facility is located at 2155 W. Pierce Ave. in Chicago.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned a resident sustained second- and third-degree burns to 26 percent of his body while smoking a cigarette in the restroom. Staff told paramedics the resident's cigarette somehow caught his shirt on fire.

The facility did not investigate the incident and made no attempt to determine the cause of the injury or to initiate measures to ensure that another resident is not injured in the same manner.

A Department-ordered plan of correction required the facility to review and revise, as necessary, its policies on resident safety, smoking and supervision; to provide adequate supervision; and to take all necessary precautions to ensure the safety of residents at all times.

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