Failure to Thoroughly Investigate Alleged Theft of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate an allegation of potential theft of money belonging to a resident with diagnoses of anxiety and depression, who was cognitively intact and dependent on staff for most activities of daily living. The resident reported to the social services director (SSD) that $100 in cash was missing from her billfold, which she kept in her recliner. The SSD documented limited interviews with four nursing staff and the resident's family member, but did not interview other relevant staff such as housekeeping, laundry, or activities personnel, nor did she document her interview with the resident. The documentation provided was incomplete, lacking dates, full names, titles, and proper authentication. The SSD admitted that the investigation was not thorough and that documentation was insufficient. The facility's policy required immediate and comprehensive investigation of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation, including interviewing all involved persons and providing complete documentation. However, the investigation did not include all potentially involved staff or residents, and the documentation did not meet facility policy standards. The assistant administrator and director of nursing were aware of the missing money and the incomplete investigation.