Failure to Timely Report Staff-to-Resident Abuse Allegation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the timely reporting of a staff-to-resident abuse allegation involving one resident. According to the facility's policy, allegations of abuse must be reported immediately, defined as within two hours if abuse or serious bodily injury is involved, or within 24 hours otherwise. In this case, a resident with moderate cognitive impairment reported that a CNA sat next to her, put his arms around her, and touched her in a way that made her feel uncomfortable and violated. The incident was reported by the resident to an RN, who then informed the DON, SSD, and Administrator on the same day the incident occurred. Despite the internal reporting, the facility did not submit the required SOC 341 report to the state licensing agency until six days after the incident was reported by the resident. Documentation shows the incident was reported to the CDPH, L&C Program on 4/10/25, even though the resident reported the event on 4/4/25. The delay in external reporting did not align with the facility's own policy and regulatory requirements for timely notification of authorities regarding abuse allegations.