Failure to Immediately Report Resident Abuse Allegation to Administrator
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to immediately notify the Administrator of an abuse allegation made by a resident, as required by its own policy. A resident with diagnoses including schizophrenia, depression, dementia, and bipolar disorder, who was cognitively intact, reported to staff that a nurse aide had made inappropriate actions of a sexual nature and an inappropriate comment during incontinent care. The resident stated she informed a nurse and another nurse aide about the incident, but neither could recall the exact day this occurred. The nurse denied being directly told of the allegation but was aware of rumors, and the nurse aide only became aware of the allegation after overhearing a conversation between the resident and the Activity Director. The Activity Director was told of the abuse allegation by the resident but became distracted and failed to immediately report it to the Administrator, only remembering to do so the following day. Meanwhile, the nurse aide, realizing at the end of her shift that no action had been taken, reported the allegation to a corporate consultant, who instructed her to immediately inform the Administrator. The Administrator was ultimately notified at the end of the nurse aide's shift, resulting in a delay in reporting the abuse allegation as required by facility policy.