Failure to Conduct Pre-Employment Background Checks
Penalty
Summary
WeCare at Murrysville Rehabilitation and Nursing Center was found to be non-compliant with federal and state regulations regarding the development and implementation of abuse and neglect policies. Specifically, the facility failed to conduct state criminal background checks for two newly hired employees, a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) and a Registered Nurse (RN), prior to their employment start dates. The facility's policy, dated January 11, 2024, mandates that background checks, including criminal history checks, must be completed to ensure the safety and well-being of residents and staff. However, the personnel records for the LPN hired on November 14, 2024, and the RN hired on November 4, 2024, lacked evidence of completed state criminal background checks before their hiring. Interviews conducted during the survey revealed that the Regional Human Resource Employee acknowledged the oversight, stating that background checks should have been completed before the employees' start dates. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the facility's failure to adhere to its own policies and regulatory requirements by not completing the necessary background checks for the two employees. This deficiency was identified during an abbreviated survey conducted in response to complaints and an infection control survey, highlighting a lapse in the facility's personnel policies and procedures.
Plan Of Correction
The Facility submits this Plan of Correction under procedures established by the Department of Health in order to comply with the Department's directive to change conditions which the Department alleges is deficient under State and/or Federal Long Term Care Regulations. This Plan of Correction should not be construed as either a waiver of the facility's right to appeal or challenge the accuracy or severity of the alleged deficiencies or an admission of past or ongoing violation of State or Federal regulatory requirements. 1. A criminal background check was completed for Licensed Practical Nurse Employee El by 1/17/25. Registered Nurse Employee E4 no longer works at the facility. 2. The Human Resource Director/design will audit new hires from the past 3 months to ensure criminal background checks were completed prior to their start date. 3. The Human Resource Director will be reeducated on completing state criminal background checks on new hires prior to their start date by the Nursing Home Administrator/designee. 4. The Nursing Home Administrator/designee will audit new hires weekly for four weeks and monthly for three months to ensure criminal background checks were completed prior to employee start date. Outcomes will be reported to the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee for review and recommendations.