Failure to Protect Resident from Abuse by Another Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from abuse when one resident reported that another resident had touched their chest under their shirt without permission. The incident was reported to the Director of Social Services and the Administrator, and the accused resident admitted to the inappropriate contact. The facility's investigation substantiated the allegation of abuse. Prior to the incident, the resident who committed the abuse had a behavioral care plan addressing inappropriate sexual comments, while the resident who reported the abuse had a care plan for making false accusations and having physical altercations. The incident was not immediately reported to staff, as the affected resident only disclosed it to a relative, who also did not inform the facility. Skin assessments conducted during the relevant period noted a rash on the upper left chest of the affected resident, but no complaints of pain or discomfort were documented. The facility's policy requires maintaining an environment free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The failure to promptly identify and address the abuse, as well as the delay in reporting, contributed to the deficiency cited in the report.