Illinois and federal health officials are seeking penalties totaling over $100,000 from a Chicago nursing home after five residents overdosed on heroin inside the facility in February. The residents of Continental Nursing & Rehabilitation Center were hospitalized and recovered.
But Illinois public health department inspectors allege at least two used heroin again hours after they were returned to the facility, even though they were supposed to be on close watch.
The federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services has imposed civil monetary penalties totaling $76,000 for alleged violations in the incident. The nursing home is contesting an additional $25,000 fine from the Illinois public health department, which says the facility failed to properly monitor and treat residents with addictions.
Continental part-owner Moishe Gubin says he wasn't aware of any heroin overdoses or other problems.
