Failure to Provide Necessary Behavioral Health Services Following Resident Bereavement
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of depression, anxiety disorder, dementia, and bipolar disorder experienced the recent loss of her son and repeatedly expressed a need to talk with someone about her grief. Despite informing multiple staff members of her need for support and specifically requesting to speak with Social Services or a therapist, the resident did not receive timely behavioral health care or counseling. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident consistently voiced her need for support, but interventions were limited to attempts at distraction by a CNA and placement on 'bereavement watch,' which only entailed monitoring for behavioral changes. The Social Service Director and LPN confirmed that there was no specific policy or procedure in place to support grieving residents beyond charting behaviors, and the contracted psychiatric provider had not seen the resident since before her loss. The DON acknowledged a lapse in the process regarding staff follow-up, and the psychiatric provider confirmed he had not seen the resident due to time constraints. Documentation showed the resident continued to display symptoms of anxiety, confusion, depression, and social isolation, but no additional behavioral health services were provided in response to her bereavement.