June 27, 1995

TAYLORVILLE NURSING HOME FINED

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Meadow Manor, a 150-bed intermediate care facility located at Route 48 North, 800 McAdam Drive in Taylorville, $10,000 for failure to have the necessary medical equipment available for use in an emergency.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors found that an 86-year-old woman observed to be short of breath, with a rapid and irregular pulse, perspiring and clammy was not given oxygen. An ambulance was called and the resident was transported to an area hospital where she died.

The facility's emergency procedures policy indicated that a resident with those symptoms should be treated with oxygen, but there was no supplemental oxygen available in the building.

On another occasion, a 61-year-old man experienced cardiopulmonary arrest following a seizure. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) was initiated and an ambulance called. CPR, however, was discontinued when the man regurgitated and no suction machine was available to remove the vomit from his airway. The man was dead on arrival at the hospital emergency room.

Meadow Manor was ordered to ensure equipment necessary for medical emergencies is available and staff are instructed on the location and use of the equipment.

The facility has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been set.

Illinois Department of Public Health 535 West Jefferson Street Springfield, Illinois 62761 Phone 217-782-4977 Fax 217-782-3987 TTY 800-547-0466 Questions or Comments