Failure to Secure and Inventory Resident Belongings
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to secure the belongings of a resident who was admitted with post-polio syndrome and was oriented to time and able to recall information accurately. The resident reported that underwear, other clothing items, and $53 stored in her bedside table had gone missing. She stated that she had informed multiple staff members, including the social worker, but only a partial effort was made to locate the missing items. The resident also discovered that the facility had not completed an inventory of her belongings upon admission, despite staff indicating they would check such a list. Interviews with the Social Services Director confirmed awareness of the missing items and that some clothing had been returned, but there was uncertainty regarding reimbursement for the lost money and whether an admission inventory had been completed. Review of the medical record showed no documented inventory of the resident's belongings. Facility policies required that personal belongings and clothing be inventoried and documented upon admission and updated as necessary, but this was not done in this case.