Failure to Address and Document Family Grievance Regarding Missing Resident Belongings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promptly address and document a grievance raised by the family member of a deceased resident regarding missing personal belongings. The resident's niece-in-law reported that after the resident's death, she requested the facility to store the resident's possessions until she could retrieve them. Upon her arrival, she found that many items were missing, and despite searching with the Social Worker and contacting the interim Administrator multiple times, she did not receive a follow-up or resolution. There was no inventory list in the resident's clinical record, nor any documentation of communication with the family about the disposition of the possessions. Interviews with facility staff revealed inconsistent practices regarding the inventory and storage of resident belongings, with some staff unaware of the contents or procedures followed after the resident's death. The Social Worker and interim Administrator both acknowledged the family member's concerns but could not provide evidence of a formal grievance being logged or investigated. Review of the facility's grievance log confirmed the absence of documentation related to the grievance or steps taken to resolve it, contrary to the facility's own grievance policy requirements.