Failure to Investigate Alleged Abuse and Neglect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate multiple allegations of abuse involving five residents. In one instance, a resident accused another of watching child pornography, but the facility did not conduct an investigation into the allegation, as confirmed by the Nursing Home Administrator. Other incidents included a resident reporting that a staff member yelled at another resident in the dining room, a resident being told by staff not to use her call light as much, and a resident stating that a nurse did not provide her with a pain pill as requested. In each of these cases, the facility's investigations were incomplete, lacking interviews with involved staff or other residents, assessments to ensure resident safety, and follow-up with the residents who made the allegations. The facility's own policy requires that all allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation be thoroughly investigated, with the administrator initiating the investigation process. However, the survey found that the facility did not adhere to this policy, as evidenced by the lack of comprehensive investigations, absence of protective measures, and failure to notify authorities or conduct follow-up. The Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged that grievances and allegations should be fully investigated according to policy, but this was not done in the reviewed cases.