Failure to Ensure Privacy of Resident Mail Delivery
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's mail was delivered unopened and without being read, as required by resident rights policies. Specifically, the Business Office Manager (V4) admitted to opening two envelopes addressed solely to the resident, which contained life insurance checks related to the resident's late spouse. The envelopes were not addressed to the facility, and the resident reported receiving both envelopes already opened. The Business Office Manager stated that the mail was opened by accident, but both envelopes were opened before being delivered to the resident. The resident's family member confirmed that all banking is managed by the family and not the facility, and that the envelopes were clearly marked as life insurance correspondence addressed only to the resident. Interviews with staff confirmed that resident mail should be delivered sealed and only opened at the resident's request. The Activity Director (V7) stated that mail is typically received from the Business Office Manager and delivered to residents unopened, except in cases where the recipient is unclear. In this instance, however, the mail was clearly addressed to the resident, and the facility's own policy affirms the right to privacy in sending and receiving mail. The incident was corroborated by both the resident and a family member, as well as the staff member responsible for sorting and delivering mail.