June 5, 1997
TWO DOWNSTATE ILLINOIS NURSING HOMES DISCIPLINED
SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Department of Public Health has taken disciplinary action against two downstate nursing homes:
Group Home #1 was fined $10,000 for failure to provide a resident with adequate nursing services and for failing to notify her physician of a significant change in her condition. For three days, a 39-year-old female resident complained of nausea and was running an elevated temperature, but her physician was not contacted. On the third day, her physician was told of her illness and he ordered the woman transported to a local hospital. She died nine hours after being admitted due to a severe bacterial infection.
The previous month, the resident was prescribed an antibiotic to which, staff was later informed, she was allergic. The resident was subsequently treated in a hospital emergency department for an allergic reaction to the drug. After a hospital emergency physician ordered the antibiotic stopped, staff continued to give the medication, saying they were unaware it had been discontinued. Another medication was ordered with instructions to begin the next day, but staff did not start it until two days later.
A review of the woman's care records also found she had complained of chest pain on four occasions, but in none of the instances did she receive the medication her doctor ordered for those situations.
North Adams Home was fined $10,000 for failure to properly monitor a resident who fell from a mechanical lift used to help people in and out of the bathtub. The 84-year-old woman suffered a fractured knee and a laceration on her face.
Department surveyors learned the woman had not been strapped into the chair and, when a staff member reached for a towel, the woman slipped out.
Group Home #1 and North Adams Home have requested hearings on the Department's actions. No hearing dates have been set.
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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 |