Local Police Reports

Attorney General Madigan: Two Arrests in Decatur Nursing Home Compliance Sweep


Chicago–(ENEWSPF)–March 15, 2011.  Attorney General Lisa Madigan today announced two arrests after a surprise “Operation Guardian” compliance check in Decatur.

Investigators arrested two employees at Decatur Manor Healthcare, 1016 W. Pershing Court, based on outstanding and active arrest warrants. Today’s sweep was the 27th compliance check conducted by Madigan’s office and other state agencies since she launched her Operation Guardian initiative in February 2010. A total of 38 employees and residents have been arrested in this ongoing effort to ensure nursing home residents are safe and receiving appropriate care.

“My office will continue making unannounced visits to nursing homes across Illinois to ensure safe and compassionate care for residents,” Madigan said. “We must make sure the criminal pasts of residents and employees are checked and those who pose a threat to others are removed from homes for the safety of both the staff and these vulnerable residents.”

Madigan’s Operation Guardian nursing home compliance checks give state and local agencies the opportunity to review safety and compliance issues. As part of these checks, the Department on Aging’s Long Term Care Ombudsman Program works to ensure residents’ rights are not being violated. The Department of Public Health conducts a compliance review of any identified offenders and any reported incidents in the last six months, and the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation interviews administrators and performs a license check of all professionals employed at the nursing facility.

This initiative grew out of and expands on the Attorney General’s previous work to shut down south suburban Emerald Park Nursing Home when it was found to be housing numerous sex offenders and other felons.

Madigan has also successfully worked to protect nursing home residents by requiring background checks and criminal history analyses for all residents to identify those who might pose a threat to others. In addition, Madigan authored the Resident’s Right to Know Act that requires nursing homes to complete an annual report detailing the facility’s standard of care, service and security issues to provide better information to residents and their families.

Source: illinoisattorneygeneral.gov

 


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