October 10, 1997

SPRINGFIELD, IL — The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Energy Specialized Living Center $10,000 for resident abuse by a staff member. The 159-bed intermediate care facility and intermediate care facility for the developmentally disabled is located at 207 E. College in Energy.

Responding to complaints, Department surveyors learned the facility failed, as required by its policy, to take immediate action to remove an employee from resident care after allegations were made by other staffers that he abused two residents. In addition, the facility failed to notify the families of the abused residents or to inform the Department of the incidents within seven days as required by state law.

In one instance, the employee kept a resident seated in the corner of the dining room. When the resident tried to stand, he was physically forced back into the chair. The employee also squeezed the hand of a resident to keep him from hitting himself rather than following the facility's care plan, which directed staff to merely touch the resident's hand.

The employee also was observed striking the hand of another resident with a rolled-up magazine after he tried to grab a used tissue off a table. When the resident tried to leave the room, the employee struggled with him until he noticed other staff members watching.

As part of a mandatory plan of correction, the Department ordered Energy Specialized Living Center to immediately notify the guardian of a resident if the resident has been abused and to inform the Department of any incidents or accidents that could affect the well-being of any resident.

Energy Specialized Living Center 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