Sept. 18, 1998
TWO COOK COUNTY NURSING HOMES FINED
SPRINGFIELD, IL —The Illinois Department of Public Health has taken disciplinary action against two Cook County nursing homes:
Mariner Health of Westchester was fined $10,000 after an unlicensed staff member was allowed to dispense pain medication for a 77-year-old male resident. After the medication was given, the resident’s blood pressure and breathing dropped.
While investigating the incident, Department surveyors learned the employee, who was not licensed as a nurse, took the pain medication from another resident who was prescribed the same drug, in violation of the facility’s policy.
As part of a mandatory plan of correction, the Department ordered Mariner Health of Westchester to ensure policies on dispensing medication are followed and to train staff on the facility’s medication policy.
Windsor Manor was fined $10,000 for failing to provide medically prescribed diets to residents. In the course of investigating the death of an 81-year-old male resident who choked on improperly prepared food, Department surveyors found that employees had brought food for an afternoon party into the facility from a restaurant. Ten other residents on restricted diets were given the food.
The Department has ordered Windsor Manor to train its employees on the importance of residents’ dietary restrictions and on who in the facility should be contacted prior to giving food to a resident other than at specified meal times.
Both Mariner Health of Westchester and Windsor Manor have requested hearings on the Department’s actions. No hearing dates have been scheduled.
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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 |