September 9, 1999

SPRINGFIELD, IL - The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Westabbe Healthcare Center of Springfield $10,000 for failure to meet the personal and nursing needs of its residents and to ensure their safety. The 175-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 2301 W. Monroe St.

As the result of a complaint and incident investigation, Department surveyors learned that a 74-year-old resident being transferred to her bed was dropped and suffered a fractured knee when a mechanical lift malfunctioned. Surveyors were told by staff they complained that the lift had pieces missing and it was discarded after the resident's fall. Another resident broke an arm when her bed moved as she leaned on it and she fell to the floor.

In addition, an 84-year-old resident wandered nearly a mile from the facility before she was noticed by a passerby who reported it to Westabbe staff. Since another resident had been setting off an exit door alarm that evening and not leaving, the surveyors were told when it sounded again a staff member made a cursory check outside and, seeing no one, reset the alarm. A headcount was not taken to see if anyone was missing. The resident was returned uninjured.

During the investigation, Department staff also observed three residents at high risk for bed sores lying in beds soaked in urine, a resident who was soiled in urine was left in a wheelchair for 3½ hours and a resident who was to be repositioned regularly due to a history of bed sores and who was not moved for 2 ½ hours. Two other residents at risk for falls were left unattended and a resident was seen in a wheelchair with their feet dragging on the ground because there were no foot peddles.

Westabbe has requested a hearing on the Department's actions. A hearing date has not been scheduled. (Statements of Violation)

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