May 16, 1997

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined D'Adrian Convalescent Center of Godfrey $10,000 for repeated failure to inform a resident's physician in a timely manner about a change in the resident's condition. The 119-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 1318 W. Delmar, Godfrey,

Responding to complaints, and in the course of an annual inspection, Department surveyors discovered four separate incidents in which physicians should have been contacted, as required by state regulations, about an accident, injury or change in condition involving one of their residents.

In one case, a 93-year-old woman experienced worsening medical conditions -- including fever, pain in the lower abdomen, inability to swallow food or medicine, dark urine and diminished breathing -- for three days before her physician was notified. Her physician ordered the facility to transfer the woman to the hospital where she died a few hours later.

On other occasions, facility staff did not inform a resident's physician for four days after an 86-year-old man fell and complained of shoulder pain, or when they noticed a change in the stools of a 94-year-old resident recently released from the hospital after treatment for gastrointestinal bleeding. D'Adrian also did not notify the family, her physician or the Department for 11 days, instead of within 24 hours as required by state regulations, after a 75- year-old female resident wandered from the facility and was found by police.

As part of a mandatory plan of correction, the Department ordered the facility to ensure each resident's physician is notified of any significant change in the condition of the resident, and nursing staff members objectively observe residents to determine if there is a need for medical evaluation and treatment by a physician.

D'Adrian Convalescent Center has requested a hearing on the Department's action. A hearing has been scheduled for July 24th in Springfield.

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