Failure to Report Alleged Misappropriation of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of misappropriation of property to the State Agency after a resident reported $14.00 missing from an envelope on their nightstand. The resident, who had diagnoses including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cervical radiculopathy, and congestive heart failure, was cognitively intact and required assistance with personal hygiene and mobility. Upon the resident's report, a room search was conducted, nursing staff were questioned, and the money was not found. The incident was documented, and the resident was reimbursed for the missing amount. The Director of Social Services completed the investigation and discussed the resolution with the resident, while the Administrator signed off on the documentation. Despite the facility's internal investigation and reimbursement, the incident was not reported to the State Agency as required by facility policy and state regulations. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Director of Social Services did not consider the missing money as misappropriation due to the resident's uncertainty about losing it, and the Administrator cited too many unknowns to confirm the loss. The Director of Nursing Services was unaware of the incident. Facility policy directs that all reports of theft or misappropriation of resident property must be promptly investigated and reported to the State Agency within two hours, which was not followed in this case.