Failure to Prevent Financial Exploitation of a Resident by Staff
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a staff member, a CNA, solicited and received money from a resident who was cognitively intact and required staff assistance for daily activities. The resident reported that the CNA asked to borrow money, which was sent electronically via a cash application. The resident received only partial repayment and later discovered that the CNA had pretended to repay the remaining amount. The resident did not immediately report the incident, believing the CNA would repay the debt and not wanting to cause trouble, but later expressed concern about the potential for similar incidents with less alert residents. Interviews with staff confirmed that the CNA had borrowed money from the resident and had not fully repaid it. The DON and other staff acknowledged that borrowing money from residents is against facility policy and constitutes exploitation. The facility's policy prohibits staff from taking money or items from residents and requires reporting and investigation of suspected abuse or exploitation. The incident was identified through staff and resident interviews and review of transaction records.