Failure to Timely Report Allegations of Misappropriation and Neglect
Penalty
Summary
For one resident with a history of depression, stroke, and spinal cord dysfunction, an allegation of misappropriation of funds was not reported or investigated by the facility. The resident, who was cognitively intact and required assistance with activities of daily living, reported $40 missing from a cell phone case to a nurse aide approximately six months prior. The nurse aide searched for the money, reported the incident to a supervisor, and completed a written statement, but there was no documentation of the incident being reported or investigated by nursing staff or administration. Facility leadership, including the administrator and director of nursing, were unaware of the allegation and could not explain why the policy for reporting misappropriation was not followed. In a separate incident, another resident with severe cognitive impairment and total dependence for toileting and mobility experienced a delay in incontinence care, resulting in saturated clothing, a foul odor, and new skin irritation and open areas. The family reported the neglect to a nurse on the day of the incident, but the allegation was not reported to the supervising RN until three days later and to the director of nursing seven days after the initial report. The incident was not reported to the state agency until ten days after it was first known by staff, despite facility policy requiring immediate reporting within two hours.