Failure to Safeguard and Account for Resident's Personal Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's personal possession, specifically a cell phone, was properly accounted for and kept safe. Upon review of the resident's admission record, it was noted that the resident, who had diagnoses including osteoarthritis, muscle weakness, dysphagia, metabolic encephalopathy, and dementia, was severely cognitively impaired and required substantial to total assistance with daily activities. The Minimum Data Set confirmed the resident's significant cognitive and physical limitations. Despite these needs, the belongings list for the resident did not include the cell phone, even though the resident had been using one prior to its disappearance. During interviews, an LVN acknowledged that the belongings list should have included the cell phone, and the DON confirmed that all residents are required to have a belongings list to track personal items. Review of facility policies indicated that personal property should be inventoried and documented upon admission and as items are replenished, and that residents' property should always be respected. The failure to document and track the cell phone resulted in its loss, demonstrating noncompliance with facility policy and the resident's right to have personal possessions respected and safeguarded.