Failure to Address and Replace Lost Denture
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to address the loss of a resident's upper denture and did not formulate a plan for its replacement. The resident, who required assistance with oral care and was not responsible for managing their own dentures, had their upper denture reported missing on 4/13/2025. The Social Services Director investigated the missing denture the following day, but the denture was not found. There was no documentation of any conversation with the resident's family regarding the lost denture or any agreement about replacement or payment prior to the survey initiation. The facility's records, including the Loss Control/Damage Report, indicated that the investigation began promptly after the denture was reported missing and was signed off two days later. However, the report did not specify a resolution or identify a liable party for the missing denture. Facility policies stated that the facility would not be responsible for lost or damaged dentures unless negligence by staff was determined or if the dentures were given to the facility for safekeeping. Despite these policies, there was no evidence that the facility communicated with the family or made a determination regarding responsibility or replacement.