Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse to State Survey Agency
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to timely report an allegation of abuse involving a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, including dementia, hypertension, and depression. The incident involved a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) who, after being spit on by the resident during a shower, retaliated by throwing a towel at the resident, striking the resident in the face and head area. The event was witnessed by staff and documented in a self-reported incident (SRI) and investigation documents. Despite the facility's policy requiring immediate reporting of abuse allegations to the State Survey Agency and other authorities, the incident was not reported until more than a month after it occurred. An interview with the current Administrator confirmed that the previous Administrator did not fulfill the obligation to report the incident in a timely manner, as required by facility policy and state law.