Failure to Safeguard and Track Residents' Personal Belongings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to properly manage and safeguard residents' personal belongings for three out of six sampled residents. Staff did not follow the facility's policy regarding the identification and marking of residents' clothing and personal items. Observations revealed that residents' clothing was not labeled to indicate ownership, and staff were unable to account for items listed on the residents' admission inventories. For example, one resident was admitted with specific clothing items, but at the time of review, only unmarked donated clothing was present, and the original items could not be located. Interviews with residents and their responsible parties confirmed that personal belongings, such as jackets, shoes, sweatpants, and shirts, had gone missing for extended periods. In one case, a resident reported missing a flannel jacket and a shoe, while another resident's responsible party stated that several items had been missing for at least two weeks before some were recovered. Staff were unable to explain the whereabouts of the missing items or why the clothing was not properly marked as required by facility policy. A review of the facility's policy on residents' personal property indicated that while items are to be inventoried and marked upon admission, there was no directive for staff to periodically update the inventory list. The administrator confirmed that the facility did not have a process for regularly updating residents' inventories and relied on families to inform staff when new belongings were brought in. This lack of systematic updating and marking contributed to the loss and mismanagement of residents' personal property.
Plan Of Correction
F 557 Millbrae Care Center makes its best effort to operate in substantial compliance with both Federal and State Law. Preparation and/or execution of this Plan of Correction does not constitute an admission or agreement by the provider of the truth of the facts alleged or conclusions set forth in the Statement of Deficiencies. This Plan of Correction is prepared and/or executed solely because it is required by provisions of 42 CFR 483, et seq., and Health and Safety Code 1280. In response to the Department's findings, we submit the following Plan of Correction which shall constitute the facility's credible allegation of compliance. The facility has submitted this plan of correction to comply with its regulatory obligation under Title 18 and 19 and to meet the ten (10) days of survey condition mandate. Likewise, the facility does not waive any objections to the merits or form any allegations contained herein. Please note that the facility may contest the merit and/or form of any of the deficiency findings alleged below and may take reasonable steps to appeal them.