Failure to Protect Resident Property and Promptly Investigate Loss
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to protect a resident's property from loss, specifically the resident's cell phone. The resident, who was admitted with a diagnosis of depression and primarily spoke Chinese, was assessed as usually able to understand and communicate with some difficulty. The resident's cell phone went missing, and their caregiver reported the loss to staff. However, staff did not take further action or communicate back to the caregiver. The missing cell phone was not reported in the facility's Theft and Loss Binder, and the Social Services Director, who was responsible for investigating such incidents, was not notified. The resident experienced anxiety due to being unable to contact family members because of the missing phone. Interviews with staff revealed that although the caregiver informed an LVN about the missing phone, the LVN did not complete a Theft and Loss Report or notify the Social Services Director. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the importance of resolving the issue promptly, especially given the resident's language barrier and need for communication. A review of the resident's inventory confirmed the cell phone was listed as a personal effect, and facility policy required prompt investigation of all theft or misappropriation reports, which was not followed in this case.