Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse to State Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of abuse involving a resident with diagnoses including major depressive disorder, seizures, suicidal ideations, and bipolar disorder within the required two-hour timeframe to the Oklahoma State Department of Health. According to the facility's policy, any reasonable suspicion of a crime, such as abuse, must be reported immediately but no later than two hours if abuse or serious bodily injury is suspected. An incident report documented that the resident complained of being slapped on the buttocks by a staff member during incontinent care. Although the incident was reported internally at 5:00 a.m., the report was not faxed to the state health department until 2:37 p.m. the same day, exceeding the mandated reporting window. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the report was not submitted within the required timeframe.