Failure to Safeguard Residents' Personal Belongings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect the personal belongings of residents, as evidenced by the lack of a system to secure valuables in resident rooms. The facility's policy and admission agreement both state that the facility is responsible for safeguarding residents' personal property. However, interviews and observations revealed that residents were not provided with keys or a system to lock their cabinets, despite the presence of locks. This deficiency was noted for two residents, both of whom were alert and oriented, with no impairments in their upper extremities. Resident R58 reported missing $200 since August 2024 and stated that he had not been offered a way to secure his cash. Observations confirmed that although there was a lock on the cabinet in his room, there was no key or system available for him to use. Similarly, Resident R63, who was also alert and oriented, had a cabinet with a lock but no means to secure it. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that several residents had expressed a desire for a lock and key system to safeguard their belongings, but this had not been implemented.
Plan Of Correction
1. Rooms 201, 204, 207, 213, 214, 220, 228, 301, and 334 were given a key to their locked drawer. Resident R63 was given a key to his drawer. Resident R58 received his $200.00. 2. Audit of all residents was done to see if anybody wants a key. Anybody who requests one will receive one. 3. Staff will be educated on the components of this regulation with an emphasis on maintaining a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment. 4. Audits will be done on all new admissions to ensure they are being offered a key 1x week for 1 month, 2x a month for one month and then 1x a month for 1 month. 5. The findings of these quality monitoring's to be reported to the Quality Assurance/Performance Improvement Committee monthly x6 months.