November 18, 1999

WHEATON NURSING HOME FINED FOR POOR SUPERVISION

SPRINGFIELD, IL – Wheaton Care Center has been fined $10,000 (Statement of Violation) by the Illinois Department of Public Health for failure to properly supervise a resident who wandered from the facility and suffered a broken nose and other injuries when she fell. The 123-bed skilled and intermediate care facility is located at 1325 Manchester Road in Wheaton.

A Department investigation found that the 85-year-old resident, who was to be monitored every 15 minutes because of the risk of elopement, was noticed by a motorist a block from the facility at the corner of Woodlawn and Manchester Road. When police responded, she asked the officer for help and then fell face first onto the pavement. She was transported to a local hospital emergency department and treated for a broken nose, blunt head trauma, multiple abrasions and a cervical strain.

The woman was apparently with a group of residents who left the building after lunch to smoke a cigarette. Although the resident wore a bracelet that activates a door alarm when she exits the building, staff thought the alarm was caused by another resident with the same type of bracelet. No head count was taken to determine if anyone else was missing.

Wheaton Care Center has requested a hearing on the Department’s action. A hearing date has not 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

Copyright © 1999 State of Illinois