SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – The Illinois Department of Public Health has fined Alden Park Strathmoor $5,000 for failure to ensure staff members know how to respond to an allegation of sexual abuse, how to thoroughly investigate reports of abuse and the importance of immediately notifying police. The 189-bed skilled care facility is located in Rockford, Ill.

As part of an annual inspection and incident report investigation, Department surveyors learned a resident reported to staff an employee had touched her inappropriately. The facility did not immediately notify police or the Department of these allegations. The resident took it upon herself to contact police about 22 hours after the incident.

The nurse who received the initial report from the resident claimed he was not aware of the facility’s policy for contacting police when an allegation of sexual abuse is made. In addition, the facility did not conduct a thorough investigation or physical examination.

A review of the facility’s abuse and neglect reports over the past year showed there were four other allegations reviewed by the facility, none of which were immediately reported to the Department.

Alden Park Strathmoor has requested a hearing on the Department’s action. No hearing date has been scheduled.

Source: Illinois Department of Health