Failure to Timely Report Investigation Outcome of Suspected Misappropriation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report the results of an abuse, neglect, or theft investigation to the administrator or their designated representative, and to other officials in accordance with State law, including the State Survey Agency, within 5 working days of the incident for one resident. The incident involved a resident with respiratory failure with hypoxia, chronic congestive heart failure, and chronic kidney disease, who was cognitively intact. The facility's policy required timely reporting and investigation of suspected misappropriation of resident property. The incident began when the Director of Housekeeping notified the administrator that a Certified Nursing Aide (CNA) wanted to retrieve a watch and bracelet from the resident's belongings before the room was packed for the family. Upon searching, the items were missing, and the CNA admitted to taking them, claiming to have purchased them for the resident but could not provide proof. The CNA returned the items after being instructed to do so. Although the facility reported the initial incident through the electronic Nursing Home Facility Incident Report program, the outcome of the investigation was not submitted to the New York State agency within the required 5-day period. Review of the facility's investigation documents confirmed that while a thorough investigation and education were completed, the final report of the investigation's outcome was missing from the records and was not sent to the state agency as mandated. Interviews with the administrator confirmed that the required submission was not completed.