Failure to Timely Report Alleged Misappropriation of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of misappropriation of a resident's property within the required timeframe to the Iowa Department of Inspection, Appeals, and Licensing (DIAL). A resident with intact cognition and a history of renal insufficiency, stroke, and end stage renal disease reported missing money on two separate occasions, totaling over $300. The resident stated he informed staff each time money was missing from his room. Staff interviews confirmed that the missing money was reported internally to nursing and administrative staff, and an investigation was initiated by the facility. Despite the facility's policy requiring immediate reporting of all allegations of abuse, neglect, exploitation, mistreatment, injuries of unknown origin, and misappropriation to the appropriate authorities, there was no evidence that the incidents involving the resident's missing money were reported to DIAL as required. The administrator acknowledged that neither the previous nor the current incidents of missing money were reported to DIAL, in violation of both facility policy and regulatory requirements.