Failure to Timely Submit Final Abuse Investigation Reports
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to submit final reports of investigations into alleged abuse incidents to the State Survey and Certification Agency within the required five-day timeframe for four out of seven reported abuse allegations. The facility's policy required that all allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment be reported immediately to the administrator and appropriate agencies, with final investigation results submitted within five working days. Despite this, the facility delayed the submission of final reports for multiple incidents involving both physical and sexual abuse. Specifically, two separate physical abuse allegations involving two residents were reported initially to the State Agency, but the final reports were submitted 24 days after the deadline. Another physical abuse allegation involving two other residents had its final report submitted 11 days late. Additionally, a sexual abuse allegation involving a resident and a facility visitor was reported initially, but the final investigation report was submitted seven days after the required deadline. Interviews with the nursing home administrator (NHA) and the regional vice-president of operations confirmed that the NHA was aware of the five-day reporting requirement and acknowledged that the investigations themselves were completed on time. However, the NHA admitted to submitting the final reports late due to poor timing skills, resulting in noncompliance with state and federal regulations regarding timely reporting of abuse investigations.