Failure to Protect Resident Property During Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of right above-the-knee amputation and brain neoplasm, who was cognitively intact, was sent to the hospital from the facility. During the resident's hospital stay, the facility packed up and removed the resident's belongings from his room. Upon return, the resident discovered that several personal items, including an Apple iPad Pro, a new bag of sleeveless t-shirts, some pants, and a right leg prosthesis, were missing from the two boxes returned to him. The resident reported the missing items to nursing staff and later filed a grievance regarding the loss of his iPad Pro. The resident expressed concern and disappointment over the missing property, particularly the iPad Pro. Facility staff interviews revealed inconsistencies and lack of clarity regarding the handling and documentation of the resident's belongings. The housekeeping manager stated he packed the items, including a tablet and prosthetic leg, and sealed the boxes with strong tape, asserting that tampering was unlikely. Nursing staff reported not having seen the missing items and indicated that housekeeping was responsible for packing. The administrator stated that valuables should be taken by residents or left with the social worker during hospital transfers, but acknowledged the resident's report of the missing items and did not know what happened to them. The facility failed to ensure reasonable care and protection of the resident's property from loss or theft during the resident's absence.