April 11, 1995

CASEYVILLE NURSING HOME FINED

SPRINGFIELD, IL -- The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Caseyville Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, a 150-bed skilled care facility located at 601 W. Lincoln Ave. in Caseyville, $5,000 for failure to ensure a resident was properly supervised.

Responding to a complaint, Department investigators found that an 82-year-old female resident with a history of wandering had left the facility without staff knowledge on two different occasions. In both instances, the woman was found unharmed and walking with the aid of a cane on a nearby road by staff either coming to or leaving work.

The main exit the woman apparently left through both times did not have a functioning alarm. State law requires that exit doors either be equipped with an audible alarm or be supervised by staff at all times.

In cases of elopement, the facility is required to report the incident to the Department by phone within 24 hours and provide a narrative summary within seven days. The facility failed to notify the Department of either incident.

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