Failure to Investigate Allegation of Rough Care by Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate an allegation of staff being rough with a resident during care. According to the facility's policy, any suspicion or report of abuse, neglect, or exploitation requires a comprehensive investigation, including identifying and interviewing all involved parties and documenting the findings. In this case, a resident with spinal stenosis and lumbar disc degeneration, who required assistance with bed mobility and transfers, reported that two CNAs were rough while providing care. The facility's documentation addressed the resident's concern about not receiving medication but did not include a thorough investigation into the allegation of rough care. Specifically, the investigation report lacked statements from the two staff members accused of being rough and did not include interviews with other potential witnesses. It was only after the surveyor's inquiry that statements from the alleged staff were obtained, well after the initial report. This failure to promptly and thoroughly investigate the allegation of rough care constituted a deficiency under the relevant state codes.