Failure to Timely Report Alleged Staff-to-Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of abuse in a timely manner after a resident with Parkinson's disease reported that a staff member threatened to hit them with a closed fist following an incident where the resident, unable to use their hands due to their condition, threw a urinal at the aide who refused to assist. The resident expressed fear of retaliation. The facility's policy requires all staff to report any allegations of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment to the Administrator or designee, and mandates reporting to the State Survey agency within specified timeframes depending on the severity of the event. Multiple staff members, including a therapy aide and the Social Services Director (SSD), became aware of the incident through direct reports from the resident and discussions among staff. The SSD reported the incident to the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), but the ADON did not relay the information to the Administrator until much later. The DON was not aware of the incident until interviewed by surveyors. The delay in reporting the allegation to the appropriate authorities constituted a failure to follow the facility's abuse reporting policy.