Failure to Timely Investigate Alleged Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to timely investigate an allegation of abuse involving a resident with chronic pain, depression, and anxiety, who was cognitively intact and required assistance with activities of daily living. The resident reported to the social worker that a staff member had shaken their dinner tray in a manner that made the resident feel fearful it might be thrown at them. The incident was said to have occurred on a Sunday, and the resident initially reported their concerns to an LPN, who stated she would inform the RN supervisor (DNS). However, the DNS did not visit the resident that day, and the resident indicated that no one else came to discuss the incident until days later. Interviews and documentation revealed that both the LPN and the aide involved informed the DNS about the resident's concerns on the day of the incident. The DNS acknowledged being aware of the situation but did not interview the resident at that time, only learning later during the investigation that the resident had felt afraid. Facility policy required prompt reporting and investigation of abuse allegations, including obtaining statements and completing a reportable event form, but these steps were not carried out in a timely manner, resulting in a delay in addressing the resident's report of potential abuse.