Failure to Inventory and Safeguard Resident's Personal Belongings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promptly resolve a grievance regarding missing personal belongings for a resident who was severely cognitively impaired and fully dependent on staff for activities of daily living. Upon review, it was found that the facility did not complete an inventory of the resident's personal belongings at the time of admission, as required by facility policy. The resident's family reported missing clothes and personal items to staff but did not receive any follow-up or resolution regarding the missing items. Interviews with facility staff, including the Social Services Director and Director of Nursing, confirmed that an inventory list was not completed upon admission, and that staff are responsible for documenting and updating residents' personal property records. The facility's policy mandates that an inventory be completed at admission and reviewed regularly, but this was not done in this case, resulting in the resident's belongings being unaccounted for.