Failure to Timely Report Alleged Misappropriation to Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of misappropriation involving a resident within the required timeframe to Adult Protective Services (APS) and the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS). According to facility policy, all alleged violations, including misappropriation of resident property, must be reported immediately, but not later than 2 hours if abuse or serious bodily injury is involved, or within 24 hours otherwise. The incident involved a nurse aide (NA-B) who told a resident that they owed the aide five dollars. The resident did not give the money and later reported feeling fearful of the aide, who allegedly responded by saying, 'see if I do anything for you anymore.' The resident reported the incident to a nurse and left a voicemail for the Director of Nursing (DON). The DON confirmed knowledge of the incident, spoke with both the resident and the aide, and instructed the aide not to enter the resident's room. However, the DON did not report the incident to APS or DHHS, stating that it was not considered abuse and that the resident did not wish to file a grievance. The failure to report the allegation as required by policy and regulation constituted the deficiency. The resident involved had a history of psychiatric and mood disorders, including psychosis, major depressive disorder, schizophrenia, and anxiety, but was assessed as having intact cognition and moderate depression at the time of the incident.