Failure to Investigate and Report Alleged Financial Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to investigate and report an allegation of financial abuse involving a resident and a family member. The resident, who was noted to have cognitive impairment and physical decline, reported that a family member had stolen money from his bank account and subsequently revoked the family member's access and power of attorney. The allegation was communicated to the Director of Nursing by another family member, who then informed Social Services. Social Services followed up with the resident, who verbally revoked the financial power of attorney from the accused family member. Despite being aware of the allegation, the facility's abuse coordinator did not initiate an investigation or report the incident, believing it to be a misunderstanding. The resident's care plan identified a risk for abuse and included interventions to report potential abuse or neglect per policy. However, there was no documentation of an abuse allegation investigation or a report to the state health department regarding the financial abuse claim, contrary to the facility's abuse prevention policy, which requires all allegations to be investigated and reported.