Deficiency in Resident Fund Management
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a complete, separate, and accurate accounting of a resident's personal funds. This deficiency was identified during a review of financial and accounting documentation and interviews with administrative staff. The issue involved a resident who alleged inaccuracies in her quarterly financial statement, including unrecognized charges. The facility's policy requires a full and separate accounting of each resident's personal funds, with quarterly statements provided to residents or their representatives. However, the resident in question, who only withdrew a monthly allowance of $45, did not recognize additional withdrawals of $100, $200, and $300, which were allegedly made with her signature. Interviews with the business office manager revealed that the facility's protocol involves residents signing a receipt when withdrawing funds. However, the new business office manager, who recently assumed the position, was unable to locate any receipts for the questioned transactions. The nursing home administrator confirmed that there were two dates of concern regarding the withdrawals, and the facility could not find one of the receipts, leading to the reimbursement of $300 to the resident. This situation indicates a failure in the facility's financial management and record-keeping processes for resident funds.
Plan Of Correction
The facility provided resident R28 a reimbursement for the $300 charge that resident R28 stated was not paid out to her, and facility was unable to locate a withdrawal receipt for. A receipt was signed by resident R28 and a copy provided to her. LNHA has completed an audit of all residents who have a facility account established, reviewing statements and withdrawal receipts from January 2024 through November 2024 and will complete a December 2024 audit. The facility will monitor residents' money requests by having the Business Office Manager withdraw the requested money and provide a receipt to be signed by the resident, confirming the resident has received the money. LNHA will educate the Business Office Manager on the process for categorizing resident money withdrawals. The Business Office Manager will maintain organized records of all resident withdrawal receipts. LNHA / designee will audit resident funds withdrawal receipts monthly x3 months. LNHA / designee will audit resident statements quarterly x4 quarters. Findings will be reported to the QAPI meeting.