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. Specifically, a resident with diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, osteoarthritis, and congestive heart failure, who was assessed to have intact cognition, reported missing money from his wallet to a nurse. This report was communicated via email to the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator. However, the Administrator did not notify the appropriate state agencies until two days after the initial report, exceeding the facility's policy requirement to report such incidents immediately and to notify state agencies within two hours. Interviews revealed that the DON was unaware of the specific reporting timeframe and was not involved in the on-call process, while the Administrator believed the reporting window was 24 to 48 hours and stated she reported the incident as soon as she was made aware. The facility's documentation did not mention the presence of money among the resident's belongings at admission. The resident later stated he did not recall the details but confirmed money was missing and that he had reported it to nursing staff, with no follow-up communication received.