Failure to Timely Report Abuse Allegations to State Agency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely reporting of abuse allegations to the state agency as required by both facility policy and federal guidelines. For one resident with multiple sclerosis, osteoporosis, contractures, and muscle wasting, an incident occurred in which the resident was left alone in their room with the door shut, resulting in incontinence and discomfort. The resident reported the incident to the DON, but the state agency was not notified within the required two-hour timeframe; notification occurred several hours later. The DON confirmed that the incident was not reported within the mandated period. In a separate case, another resident with acute respiratory failure, seizures, spinal stenosis, and paranoid schizophrenia was involved in an allegation of abuse after a family member reported that the resident had been spoken to harshly by a CNA. Although the physician, family, and Adult Protective Services were notified, there was no documentation that the state agency was informed within the two-hour required timeframe. The DON was unable to find evidence of timely reporting for this incident as well.