Failure to Immediately Report Alleged Resident Abuse to Abuse Coordinator
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of abuse involving a resident was immediately reported to the facility abuse coordinator as required by policy. The incident involved a resident who experienced a significant episode of loose stools, resulting in soiling of her clothes, the toilet, floors, and walls. During the cleanup, the resident reported that one CNA made a derogatory comment about the situation and told her to clean it up herself, while two other CNAs laughed at her. The resident felt embarrassed and upset by the staff's behavior and subsequently called her daughter to report the incident. The daughter then contacted the LPN on duty, who stated she reported the concern to the DON. However, the DON could not recall if the LPN had called her and mentioned that the resident's daughter may have texted her about the incident. The Social Services Director documented the daughter's concern but did not report the potential abuse to the facility abuse coordinator. As a result, the required immediate reporting of the abuse allegation to the administrator did not occur, contrary to facility policy.