Failure to Timely Report Alleged Neglect to State Agency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of neglect involving a resident was reported to the State Survey Agency within the required 24-hour timeframe. A family member alleged neglect related to a change in the resident's condition, specifically regarding staff not suctioning the resident. The Director of Nursing was notified of the allegation by an LVN, and the Administrator attempted to submit the report in the TULIP system on the same day. However, there was no confirmation that the report was received, and no intake number was provided. Subsequent review of the facility's TULIP account showed no record of the report being submitted on the required dates. The resident involved was an older male with multiple complex medical conditions, including diabetes, metabolic encephalopathy, aphasia, hemiplegia, hemiparesis following a stroke, dysphagia, and a gastrostomy. Despite the facility's policy requiring follow-up with government agencies to confirm receipt of reports, the Administrator did not verify with the State Agency after the initial submission attempt. The report was ultimately resubmitted several days later, outside the required reporting window.