SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health has taken disciplinary action against two Chicago long-term care facilities:

• International Village, a 218-bed skilled care facility located at 4815 S. Western Ave.; and
• The Westwood Manor, a 115-bed skilled and intermediate facility located at 2444 W. Touhy Ave.

International Village was fined $5,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to protect a resident from physical abuse. Two nurse aides witnessed an employee slamming a resident into a wall and cursing at him. The resident attempted to get away, but the employee followed him and continued to push and threaten him.

Staff failed to immediately report the incident to the facility administration and the alleged abuser remained on the resident’s floor and had direct contact with the resident over the next two days.

Upon learning of the incident, the administrator suspended the employee and began an investigation. After the allegation was substantiated, the employee was terminated.

The Westwood Manor was fined $5,000 (Statement of Violation) for failing to provide adequate supervision to prevent a resident from leaving the facility. An investigation was not completed and the Department was not notified.

The resident left the facility through an interior basement door that was to be locked at all times and down a steep staircase to an exterior door that was not equipped with an alarm. The resident then walked down an exterior staircase to a large parking lot that fronts a heavily traveled street. The interior door was not closing properly and was fixed following the incident. The resident, who was assessed as needing assistance with travel in the community due to her inability to follow safety rules, was fitted with an electronic monitoring device.

Both facilities have requested a hearing on the Department’s actions. No hearing date has been scheduled.