Failure to Timely Report Sexual Abuse Allegation
Summary
The facility failed to report an alleged incident of sexual abuse within the required two-hour timeframe to the appropriate authorities. The incident involved a resident who was found by a CNA on top of another resident in bed, with his hand inside her incontinence brief, performing jabbing motions. Both residents were clothed at the time, but the CNA observed the inappropriate behavior and called for assistance. The male resident became violent when staff attempted to remove him, striking a staff member in the process. Upon assessment, the female resident was found to have scratches and bruising on her upper legs and labia, as well as additional bruising and discoloration on her thigh and eyebrow. Facility records show that the incident was reported internally to the nursing home administrator and social worker shortly after it occurred. However, the administrator did not recognize the event as sexual abuse and did not report it to the State Department within the required two-hour window. Instead, the administrator believed there was a 24-hour reporting window and notified the State Department the following day. The incident was also not reported to local law enforcement immediately, as the administrator did not initially view it as a crime. The facility's policy, in accordance with the Elder Justice Act, requires that any suspicion of a crime involving serious bodily injury to a resident be reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the suspicion arises. The failure to report the incident in a timely manner placed the affected resident and others at risk for further harm. The survey agency identified this as Immediate Jeopardy and Substandard Quality of Care, citing the facility for not adhering to regulatory requirements for reporting alleged violations.
Removal Plan
- Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) 1 saw Resident #16 on top of Resident #56. CNA 1 yelled for help. Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) 1 and CNA 1, CNA 2, and CNA 3 entered the room and removed Resident #16 and took him back to his room where supervision was provided by CNA 2.
- Licensed Master Social Worker (LMSW) and Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) notified by LPN of the incident.
- A CNA was stationed outside the door of Resident #16 until transportation arrived to take him to an inpatient geropsychiatric unit.
- LMSW went to evaluate Resident #16 for mood or behavior changes, and none were noted.
- Staff Development Specialist (SDS) performed a full body audit on Resident #56. The findings were red purple bruising with yellow edges noted to left outer eyebrow, scratches, skin discoloration and slight edema noted to exterior labia overall paleness maroon/purple bruising noted to left thigh approximate size of quarter scratches noted to left thigh and bilateral outer labia with bruising and redness noted to both areas.
- Nursing Home Medical Staff Director (NHMSD) notified by phone by RN 1 of findings from body audit. No orders received.
- NHA notified the Ombudsman of the incident.
- LMSW notified the Responsible Party (RP) of the incident.
- NHA and Risk Manager (RM) notified the Director of Risk Management (DRM) of the event to discuss the event and necessary actions steps needed to be implemented immediately to prevent any further harm. The recommended actions included continuing to seek inpatient geropsychiatric unit placement for Resident #16 and continuing supervision.
- RP of Resident #16 was notified by LMSW regarding the incident and an order for inpatient geriatric psych placement.
- LMSW verified that a CNA was placed outside Resident #16's room.
- NHA notified the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) of the incident by telephone.
- A follow-up weekly body audit completed on Resident #56. No additional injuries identified.
- Primary physician notified of Resident #16 acceptance at behavioral health facility.
- NHA notified the Attorney General's Office of the incident.
- NHA sent an email reporting the incident to the MSDH via email to [email protected].
- Resident #16 was transferred to a behavioral health facility.
- NHA notified local law enforcement of the incident.
- Local law enforcement on-site.
- Incident report received from local law enforcement.
- The Director of Risk Management in-serviced the NHA and the Interim Director of Nursing (IDON) on timely reporting of suspected abuse.
- The Interim Director of Nursing and SDS initiated Abuse training to include types of abuse, prevention and employee responsibilities for reporting suspected abuse for all 129 employees. No staff will be allowed to work until in serviced.
- The IDON and SDS initiated an in-service for all Nursing Staff on implementing and developing Comprehensive Care Plans to include interventions that address inappropriate sexual behaviors. No staff will be allowed to work until in serviced.
- No staff, including the Director of Nursing, will be allowed to work until they are in-serviced.
- An Ad hoc Quality Assurance (QA) meeting was held to review the immediate jeopardy related to F 600 Free from Abuse and Neglect, F 609 Reporting of Alleged Violations, and F 656 Develop/Implement Comprehensive Care Plan and conducted a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and review policy and procedures for changes. Attendees were the NHA, NHMSD, interim-Director of Nursing (DON), Infection Control Nurse Manager (ICNM), and RM.
- A Follow-up Ad hoc Quality Assurance (QA) meeting was held to review the immediate jeopardy related to F 600 Free from Abuse and Neglect, F 609 Reporting of Alleged Violations, and F 656 Develop/Implement Comprehensive Care Plan and conducted a Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and review policy and procedures for changes. Attendees were the NHA, NHMSD, DON, ICNM, RM, Human Resources Manager (HRM), and RN 1.
- The Minimum Data Set Nurse (MDSN) completed a 100% care plan audit for behaviors for all 95 residents to include residents at risk for sexual behaviors. Findings of the audit revealed that no other residents had inappropriate sexual behaviors.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Two residents with dementia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, and moderately impaired cognition, both needing moderate assistance with ADLs, were found unclothed together in one resident’s bed. The resident later stated she did not consent to sexual contact, while the other resident did not recall any sexual activity. An LVN documented the incident and acknowledged it constituted sexual abuse that should have been reported immediately to the abuse coordinator and appropriate agencies, but did not report it. The administrator, who serves as the abuse coordinator, stated she relies on staff to notify her immediately of such allegations so they can be reported to CDPH, law enforcement, and the Ombudsman, but this did not occur, resulting in the allegation not being reported as required.
The facility failed to timely and accurately report multiple allegations of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment to the State Agency. In one case, a resident with dementia and a history of falls sustained a hip fracture after being struck by a medication cart; a CNA who witnessed the event reported to administration that an LPN had pushed the cart recklessly, but her concerns were not investigated or reported as potential mistreatment. In another case, a resident with dementia and insomnia reported receiving diphenhydramine for sleep from a male nurse despite having only a one-time order, and an LPN reported concerns that a nurse was giving diphenhydramine without orders after finding opened bottles in the memory care medication room, yet this allegation was not reported. In a third case, a cognitively impaired resident alleged that a night-shift nurse grabbed and twisted her arm during incontinence care, with a bruise observed by an LPN; although the administrator was notified that morning, the incident was reported to the state more than two hours after the allegation and with an inaccurately late discovery time documented in the reporting system.
Staff failed to respond promptly to an oxygen alert alarm for a resident with spastic quadriplegic CP, severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, chronic respiratory failure, severe cognitive impairment, and total dependence for ADLs, resulting in the resident being found unresponsive with gray skin and requiring a Code Blue, CPR, and hospital transfer where no brain activity was found and life support was later withdrawn. Despite facility policy requiring alleged or suspected neglect and serious bodily injury to be reported to the State Agency within 2 hours (or within 24 hours if no serious bodily injury), the Administrator was not notified until days after the event and the NYS DOH was notified four days after the incident; the DON reported they were initially unaware of the failure to respond to alarms or of the need to report the incident, and the Administrator stated they had not been informed of the Code Blue on the day it occurred.
A resident with dementia, bipolar disorder, vertebral fractures, and intact cognition alleged that two CNAs were rough during a bed bath, twisting her leg and jumping on her bed and legs. The resident first told a medication aide that a CNA was rough, but the aide continued passing medications and did not immediately report the allegation to the charge nurse or administrator, and multiple LVNs and the ADON confirmed they did not receive this report. Days later, the resident repeated the allegation to another medication aide, who informed the implicated CNA instead of promptly notifying the LVN or administrator; the CNA then reported to the LVN, who attempted to contact leadership. The administrator stated she did not become aware of the allegation until many days after the incident, and the facility’s investigation documented that the event occurred well before it was reported to the state. Staff interviews and the facility’s abuse protocol showed that all staff understood that rough treatment could be abuse and that such allegations must be reported immediately, yet the required immediate reporting process was not followed, resulting in delayed internal and external reporting of the alleged abuse.
Staff failed to report an allegation of sexual abuse to state authorities within the required two-hour timeframe after a cognitively intact resident with multiple psychiatric diagnoses reported being forced to touch another resident’s genitals in a dining room. A CNA observed the contact and notified an LPN, who separated the residents and obtained conflicting accounts, including a statement from the alleged victim that the act was forced. The facility’s investigation documented the allegation but did not show timely notification to the Department of Health and Senior Services, and state records confirmed the report was not made until more than 24 hours later. In interviews, the administrator stated the event was viewed as consensual and linked to the residents’ prior sexual history, while the LPN reported having informed the administrator the same day that the resident said the act was forced.
The facility failed to timely report alleged abuse to SSA and APS after staff twice observed a resident with dementia and acute systolic CHF receiving zealous, open-mouthed kisses on the mouth from her brother. On two separate occasions, a CNA and an LPN witnessed or were informed of these unusual kissing interactions, which they later described as awkward and not typical of a sibling relationship. Despite this, the nursing staff did not immediately report the incidents as potential abuse to the Administrator, and the allegation was not brought forward until a staff meeting days later, resulting in the required notifications to external authorities not being made within the mandated 2-hour timeframe.
Failure to Report Alleged Sexual Abuse Between Cognitively Impaired Residents
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to report an allegation of sexual abuse between two residents to the State Survey Agency, Ombudsman, and local law enforcement as required by federal regulations and the facility’s own abuse reporting policy. A nurse documented that one resident (Resident 2) and another resident (Resident 4) were found unclothed together in Resident 2’s bed, and the nurse acknowledged that this situation constituted sexual abuse and should have been reported immediately to the abuse coordinator and appropriate agencies, but she did not report the incident. The facility’s policy stated that all staff are mandated reporters and must notify appropriate authorities within two hours of becoming aware of abuse and immediately notify the Abuse Prevention Coordinator and their supervisor. Resident 2 had dementia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, fluctuating capacity to understand and make decisions, and moderately impaired cognition, and required moderate assistance with ADLs. During an interview at her bedside, Resident 2 stated she did not consent to sexual contact with Resident 4. Resident 4 also had dementia, schizoaffective disorder, major depressive disorder, moderately impaired cognition, and required moderate assistance with ADLs, and stated he did not recall engaging in sexual activity with any residents. The Administrator, who served as the abuse coordinator, stated she was responsible for reporting all abuse allegations to CDPH, law enforcement, and the Ombudsman, and that staff were responsible for notifying her immediately of sexual abuse allegations so they could be reported and investigated. The failure of staff to notify the Administrator and report the incident resulted in the sexual abuse allegation not being reported as required, causing a delay in an onsite investigation by CDPH.
Failure to Timely and Accurately Report Allegations of Abuse, Neglect, and Mistreatment
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to timely and accurately report allegations of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment to the State Agency for three residents. For one resident with dementia and a history of falls, staff documentation showed that a nurse pushing a medication cart collided with the resident, causing a fall and an acute right femoral neck fracture. A post-fall evaluation identified environmental factors, specifically that a cart pushed in the hall tripped the resident, and listed a CNA as a witness who later denied being present. Another CNA, who was not listed as a witness, reported she actually witnessed the event and described the nurse rapidly approaching from behind with the cart, appearing not to have control of it, and striking the back of the resident’s leg, causing the fall. This CNA stated she promptly called and texted the administrator and later spoke with the administrator and former DON, telling them she believed the resident was injured due to the nurse’s reckless actions, but she was never interviewed and her concerns were disregarded. The administrator reported he understood the event as the resident being startled and backing into the cart, did not view it as concerning, and did not report or further investigate the situation as potential mistreatment. No facility-reported incident related to this event was found in the State Agency database. The second component of the deficiency concerns an allegation that a nurse was giving diphenhydramine to residents on a memory care unit without physician orders. A resident with vascular dementia and insomnia reported that a male nurse had been giving him diphenhydramine for at least a few weeks to help him sleep, and that another nurse later told him the medication was not recommended for people with dementia because it could worsen cognition. Review of physician orders showed only a one-time order for diphenhydramine for this resident, with no ongoing orders. Another LPN reported she was concerned that a male LPN was giving residents diphenhydramine without orders after a male resident repeatedly requested it and stated another nurse gave it to him, and after she found an opened bottle of diphenhydramine in the memory care medication room with no corresponding resident orders. She also reported that the male LPN had commented that he had made sure everyone would sleep that night. She removed the open bottle and later found a new bottle stocked, then asked the supply clerk to stop stocking it, but did not report her concerns to the administrator because she felt she lacked proof. The administrator later acknowledged awareness of a general concern about diphenhydramine in the medication room but denied being told that a specific nurse was allegedly using it to make residents sleep, and the State Agency database showed no facility-reported incident for this allegation at the time of review. The third component involves an allegation of staff-to-resident abuse that was not reported to the State Agency within the required two-hour timeframe and was inaccurately documented as to the time of discovery. A resident with severe cognitive impairment, multiple chronic conditions, and a history of falls and anxiety told her assigned LPN early in the morning that a night-shift nurse had grabbed and twisted her arm while a CNA provided incontinence care, despite her saying she was not wet. The LPN observed a bruise on the resident’s left arm, described the resident as frightened and not usually afraid, and reported that she notified the administrator immediately by phone and was instructed to monitor the bruise while the administrator would report the allegation and handle the investigation. An incident report documented the resident’s allegation, the observed bruise, and stated that nursing immediately reported to the administrator and that a report was filed with the state. However, the MI-FRI system showed the incident was submitted later that morning, more than two hours after the allegation was made, and recorded the discovery time as significantly later than when the LPN stated she first learned of it. The administrator confirmed he was notified of the allegation that morning, acknowledged that abuse allegations should be reported within two hours, and stated there were issues with the reporting system but could not provide a record of when he first attempted to submit the report.
Failure to Timely Respond to Oxygen Alarm and Report Suspected Neglect
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to immediately report an alleged incident of neglect involving a resident who was dependent on respiratory support and continuous monitoring. The resident had spastic quadriplegic cerebral palsy, severe hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy, chronic respiratory failure, was severely cognitively impaired, and totally dependent on staff for all ADLs. On the date of the incident at 8:58 AM, the resident’s alert alarm indicated decreasing oxygen levels, but nursing and respiratory staff did not respond to the alarm or assess the resident in a timely manner, in deviation from the facility’s pulse oximetry escalation pathway and alarm response procedures. The resident was later found unresponsive with gray skin, and a Code Blue was initiated. CPR was started, and the resident was transferred to the hospital, where they were determined to have no brain activity; life support was later terminated and the resident expired. Although the facility’s policy required that alleged or suspected violations involving mistreatment, neglect, or other reportable events be reported to the State Survey Agency and other appropriate authorities no later than 2 hours after forming the suspicion if serious bodily injury occurred, or within 24 hours otherwise, the incident was not reported in accordance with these time frames. The incident occurred on one date, the Administrator was not notified until a later date, and the New York State Department of Health was not notified until four days after the event. The DON stated they were unaware that staff had failed to respond to the alerts until reviewing the alert system report and interviewing staff, and also stated they were unaware the incident should have been reported to the Department of Health, while the Administrator confirmed they had not been notified of the Code Blue on the day it occurred.
Failure to Immediately Report Resident’s Allegations of Rough Care and Possible Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, injuries of unknown origin, or misappropriation of resident property were reported immediately, and no later than two hours after the allegation was made, to the administrator and appropriate state officials. One resident with metabolic encephalopathy, Alzheimer’s dementia, anxiety, multiple vertebral compression fractures, pain, and bipolar disorder, who was cognitively intact per a BIMS score of 14, alleged that two CNAs were rough during a bed bath, twisted her leg, and jumped on her bed and legs. The resident’s care plan noted impaired cognitive function/dementia and later documented verbal behavior symptoms directed toward others, including allegations that staff attacked her, followed by expressions of affection for the same staff. The facility’s investigation identified the incident date as early in the month when two CNAs provided a bed bath, and the facility documented that it did not become aware of the allegation until later in the month, at which time the allegation was reported to the state. According to staff interviews and statements, the resident first voiced concerns about rough care on a date several days after the bed bath, when a medication aide (MA A) reported that the resident said a CNA was rough with her. MA A stated she told the resident she did not think the CNA would be rough, then continued passing medications and did not immediately report the allegation to the administrator or clearly to the charge nurse, DON, ADON, or other leadership, despite acknowledging that rough treatment could constitute abuse and that such allegations were to be reported immediately. Multiple nurses (LVN F, LVN G, and the ADON) stated that MA A did not report this allegation to them on that date, and each indicated that they would have reported any such allegation to the administrator immediately. The facility’s abuse protocol required any person observing or suspecting abuse to immediately report to the charge nurse, who must then immediately examine the patient and notify the Abuse Prevention Coordinator. Several days later, the resident again reported to another medication aide (MA E) that a CNA and another aide were rough during care and that her legs hurt because the aides were jumping up and down on her legs. MA E acknowledged that she did not report this allegation directly and immediately to the LVN or administrator, but instead informed the implicated CNA, who then reported the allegation to the LVN on duty (LVN D). LVN D stated that upon being informed by the CNA, she attempted to contact the administrator and then informed the ADON. The administrator reported that she first became aware of the allegation at approximately 4:40 p.m. on that later date, and the facility’s investigation form reflected that the incident had occurred many days earlier. Staff interviews and time card reviews confirmed the dates the CNAs worked and the timing of the bath relative to the resident’s subsequent complaints. The failure of MA A and MA E to follow the facility’s abuse protocol and immediately report the resident’s allegations to the charge nurse and administrator resulted in a delay in the facility’s awareness and reporting of the alleged abuse. In their statements, the CNAs involved (CNA B and CNA C) described providing a routine bed bath to the resident, noting that she complained of being wet and cold but did not complain of pain during the bath, and they denied hurting her or jumping on her bed or legs. They also stated that they were not informed of any complaint until many days after the bath. The resident, when interviewed later, reiterated that the aides were rough, twisted her leg, and jumped on the bed, and said she did not want them providing her care, although she could not recall the exact date or which staff member she initially told. The administrator, LVN D, CNAs, and medication aides all acknowledged in interviews that rough treatment could be considered abuse and that allegations of abuse must be reported immediately. Despite this, the facility’s own records and staff accounts showed that the initial allegation made to MA A and the subsequent allegation made to MA E were not promptly reported through the required chain, resulting in the facility not becoming aware of and not reporting the allegation to the state survey agency within the required timeframe.
Failure to Timely Report Allegation of Sexual Abuse to State Authorities
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to report an allegation of sexual abuse to the Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) within the required two-hour timeframe. The facility’s abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation prevention program, revised April 2021, states staff will identify and investigate all possible incidents of abuse, neglect, mistreatment, or misappropriation of resident property and report any allegations within timeframes required by federal requirements. Resident #1, assessed as cognitively intact on a quarterly MDS dated 2/12/26, had diagnoses including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and bipolar disorder. On 3/29/26, CNA A reported to LPN B that Resident #1 was seen touching Resident #2’s privates in the main dining room; CNA A separated the residents, and LPN B interviewed both residents. Resident #1 stated Resident #2 forced him/her to touch his/her privates, while Resident #2 denied the allegation. The facility’s investigation, dated 3/30/26, documented that Resident #1 reported assisting Resident #2 in playing with his/her privates but stated he/she was forced to assist. The investigation record did not show that facility staff contacted DHSS within the required two-hour timeframe after the allegation was reported. Review of the DHSS database confirmed that the facility did not report the allegation of sexual abuse until more than 24 hours after Resident #1 made the allegation. During interviews, the administrator stated he/she would have reported within two hours if the act was not consensual and claimed he/she was not informed that Resident #1 said he/she was forced until 3/30/26, characterizing the situation as involving residents with a past sexual history who were upset because they were caught. However, LPN B stated that on 3/29/26 at 10:12 A.M. he/she called the administrator and explained in detail that Resident #1 said he/she was forced into the sexual act, and that the administrator responded that the residents had a sexual history, so it was okay.
Failure to Timely Report Alleged Sexual Abuse to SSA and APS
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse and neglect were reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation was made, to the State Survey Agency (SSA) and Adult Protective Services (APS). Resident 3, who was admitted with unspecified dementia and acute systolic congestive heart failure, was involved in two separate incidents in which her brother was observed kissing her on the mouth in a manner staff described as zealous, enthusiastic, sloppy, and not typical of a brother-sister interaction. On 12/28/25, CNA 1 observed a well-dressed man enter Resident 3's room, hug her, and give her a zealous kiss on the mouth. CNA 1 assumed the man was the resident's husband and reported this to LPN 1, who knew the visitor was the resident's brother. LPN 1 looked into the room and did not see anything out of the ordinary, and neither CNA 1 nor LPN 1 reported this incident as a potential allegation of abuse to the Administrator at that time. On 1/4/26, LPN 1 and CNA 1 entered Resident 3's room to address the resident's pain and request for catheter removal and to assist with a brief and linen change. Resident 3 had two visitors present, including her brother. When asked to step out for privacy, the female visitor left, but the brother hesitated and then gave Resident 3 a sloppy, open-mouthed kiss on the mouth lasting about three seconds, again in the presence of staff. The brother stated that Resident 3 was his older sister and that she had taken care of him since they were very small. LPN 1 did not report either the 12/28/25 or 1/4/26 kissing incidents to the Administrator. The Administrator later stated that the alleged abuse was first mentioned during a meeting on 1/6/26, at which time staff described the kiss as a weird, awkward kiss and not a typical brother-sister kiss, and acknowledged that nursing staff had not reported the suspicious activity in a timely manner, resulting in failure to notify SSA and APS within two hours of the allegation.
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