Failure to Follow Abuse Investigation Procedures
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to fully implement its Abuse Prevention Policy during an investigation into an allegation of physical abuse made by a resident. According to the policy, the appointed investigator is required to interview the person who reported the incident, anyone likely to have direct knowledge, the resident if possible, and other residents who receive care from the same staff member accused, as well as employees who regularly work with the accused. In this case, the investigation did not include interviews with other residents who received care from the same caretakers as the resident who made the allegation. The administrator confirmed that these required interviews were not conducted during the investigation, as the investigation was handled by another appointed individual in her absence.