October 13, 1999

MORTON NURSING HOME FINED

SPRINGFIELD, IL – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Morton Terrace $10,000 (Statements of Violation) for failing to follow a resident’s signed request to initiate life-sustaining treatment in the event of an emergency. The 164-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 191 E. Queenwood Road in Morton.

A 60-year-old woman was eating lunch when staff observed her slumped in a wheelchair, not breathing and with no pulse. She was taken to her room and placed in bed, but no cardiac resuscitation was initiated because a nurse said the resident had signed a “Do Not Resuscitate ” (DNR) order and a notation on the door confirmed that fact.

However, upon checking the woman’s file, another nurse discovered the resident had not filed a DNR and had specifically requested assistance in the event of an emergency. It had been at least 10 minutes since the woman was found unresponsive, but cardiopulmonary resuscitation was started and fire department paramedics were summoned. The woman was pronounced dead at a local hospital.

As part of a mandatory plan of correction, the facility was ordered to train staff to follow its policies and procedures related to medical emergencies and to review weekly the advanced directives of each resident.

Morton Terrace 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