Failure to Report Alleged Staff-to-Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of staff-to-resident physical abuse to the Administrator/Abuse Coordinator as required by its Abuse Prohibition Policy. A resident, who was cognitively intact according to her most recent MDS assessment, reported that a male CNA patted her bottom while assisting her at bedtime. She expressed her discomfort to the CNA and requested that he leave, after which the female CNA completed her care. The resident later shared her concerns with both the Activity Director and the Activity Aide, mentioning her discomfort with the male caregiver and specifying that she did not want men providing her care. Despite these disclosures, neither the Activity Director nor the Activity Aide reported the resident's statements to the Administrator/Abuse Coordinator. The Activity Director acknowledged that she did not recognize the statement as a potential abuse allegation at the time, attributing it to confusion with other care-related complaints discussed during a resident council meeting. The Activity Aide also admitted to not reporting the conversation, only realizing in hindsight that it should have been communicated. The Administrator confirmed that both staff members were required by policy to immediately report such concerns.