QUINCY — The Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy reported no illness epidemics in the second half of 2018, as part of new reporting requirements enacted last year by Illinois lawmakers.

The home, which has dealt with dozens of cases of Legionnaires’ disease since 2015 causing at least 13 deaths, was required to report any communicable diseases that staff identified.

The home reported several cases between July and December, including pneumonia, upper respiratory infections, soft tissue infections, wound infections, gastroenteritis, fungal infections, conjunctivitis and skin infections.

The first required biannual report was posted to the General Assembly’s website on Wednesday. The report requires the number of complaints made by residents, information on any epidemic reported at a veterans home, the number of cases and information on the cases, and action taken by the homes to eradicate the spread of communicable disease.

In its report, the Illinois Department of Veterans’ Affairs said the steps it took to prevent communicable disease were:

º "Treat resident as needed; ensure antibiotic stewardship protocols are followed."

º "Identify and isolate the case(s) in question."

º "Map the disease location(s) to determine if the disease is spreading.

º "If the disease appears to be spreading, determine if it is due to cross-contamination or cohabitation."

º "Provide additional staff training on infection control prevention and response, if appropriate."

º "Housekeeping department briefed to implement cleaning enhancements, if appropriate."

Not included as communicable diseases in the report are the common cold; influenza, unless cases meet the Illinois Department of Public Health reporting requirements; urinary tract infections; and shingles.

Besides the Illinois Veterans Home in Quincy, the report includes other state-operated veterans homes in Anna, LaSalle and Manteno. None of the facilities reported an illness epidemic that required reporting to local health departments or the Illinois Department of Public Health.

Three resident grievances were filed in Quincy, with all three resolved, according to the report.

Complaints involved the amount of goose feces on the entrance sidewalk at the Markward building, a resident having difficulty with second-shift nursing on getting timely personal care, and a resident being verbally and physically aggressive when trying to get onto elevator with another resident’s walker.

The complaints compiled are from those received on official grievance forms or major complaints that could not be immediately addressed at the Resident Advisory Council and required follow-up by facility staff.

Besides annual reports, state law now requires veterans homes to notify residents and their emergency contact anytime that two or more residents are diagnosed with an infectious disease. Notification also must be included near the main entrance to the homes, as well as their websites. The Veterans’ Affairs and Public Health departments must be notified of the incidence of the infectious disease and the compliance with the notification requirements.