Failure to Protect Resident Rights Regarding Personal Property Loss
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to update its admissions agreement to ensure that residents did not waive their rights for reimbursement in the event of loss of personal property. Specifically, the admissions agreement signed by a resident included language stating that the facility was not responsible for theft, misplacement, loss, or damage to the resident's personal property and would not be responsible for repayment or replacement. The personal belongings inventory form, also signed at admission, reiterated that all items retained in the resident's possession were the responsibility of the resident and that the facility assumed no responsibility for lost or damaged items. A resident, who was cognitively intact and required varying levels of staff assistance for activities of daily living, was admitted with five rings, as documented on the personal belongings inventory form. Upon discharge, the resident reported that the five rings, including a wedding ring, were missing. The facility's records confirmed the rings were present at admission, but the discharge personal belongings inventory form could not be located by the facility. Staff interviews confirmed that the rings were not present at discharge and that the resident had been encouraged to use a lockbox for valuables, which she declined. The facility's policy supported residents' rights to possess personal belongings and required inventory documentation at admission and discharge. However, the admissions agreement and inventory form both included waivers of facility liability for lost or stolen property, contrary to regulatory requirements. The facility did not ensure that the resident retained her right to reimbursement for lost personal property, resulting in a deficiency related to the protection of resident property rights.