Resident with Dementia Left Unattended During Medical Appointment
Penalty
Summary
A resident with severe cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease was transported by facility staff to a hospital for a scheduled medical procedure. The resident, who had a care plan indicating impaired safety awareness and risk of elopement, was left unattended in the hospital waiting area without facility or family supervision. The transport driver reported that he was told by a dementia unit leader that the resident's family would meet her at the hospital. Upon arrival, the hospital receptionist mentioned the family would be coming, but no family member was present. The driver left the resident with the receptionist and departed to transport another resident, despite being aware that residents should not be left unsupervised unless a family member is present. The resident's family only became aware of the situation when a family friend saw the resident alone at the hospital and notified them, prompting a family member to arrive and stay with the resident during the procedure. The resident's clinical record and care plan documented her need for supervision due to dementia and impaired decision-making. The facility did not have a policy regarding transportation of residents at the time of the incident.