Failure to Ensure Nursing Staff Competency in Abuse Reporting Requirements
Penalty
Summary
Registered Nurse (RN) 1 and Licensed Vocational Nurse (LVN) 1 failed to demonstrate competency regarding the facility's abuse reporting policies. Both staff members had signed documents acknowledging their responsibilities as mandated reporters and had completed abuse training post-tests indicating they understood their roles. However, during interviews, both RN 1 and LVN 1 were unable to identify the facility's abuse coordinator and expressed uncertainty about their responsibilities as mandated reporters, despite having attended abuse prevention in-service training where reporting requirements were reviewed. The Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that all staff were expected to be competent in implementing the facility's abuse policies and procedures, including knowing their mandated reporter responsibilities and the identity of the abuse coordinator. A review of the facility's Abuse Prevention Program policy indicated that staff training should include abuse prevention, identification, and reporting. The failure of RN 1 and LVN 1 to demonstrate this competency was identified through interviews and record reviews, indicating a gap between training provided and staff understanding or retention of critical abuse reporting procedures.