June 3, 1997

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Care Center of Champaign $10,000 for failure to provide a resident, who died as a result of a blocked airway, with adequate nursing care. The 118-bed skilled care facility is located at 1915 S. Mattis St., Champaign.

Responding to a complaint, Department surveyors learned facility staff had been instructed by the 56-year-old man's physician to frequently suction a breathing tube. Three days before the man died his tracheotomy tube had become blocked and had to be cleared at a nearby hospital emergency department.

On the day of his death, staff suctioned a large amount of secretion, but they did not contact his physician about the unusual discharge. Later that day, shortly after staff had suctioned the breathing tube, the man began having difficulty breathing. The man was transported to the hospital where he died due to an airway obstruction.

A review of the autopsy report found the staff failed to provide adequate suction to prevent the formation of the mucous plug in his tracheotomy. Surveyors also determined the facility failed to humidify the air in the man's room, which would have made the secretions easier to remove.

As part of a mandatory plan of correction, the Department ordered the facility to provide adequate nursing care to meet the needs of residents, and to properly perform treatments.

Care Center of Champaign has requested a hearing on the Department's action. No hearing date has been scheduled.

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