Failure to Provide Substance Abuse Services and Supervision
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate services for residents with substance abuse issues, as evidenced by two residents repeatedly found using illegal substances on the premises. Facility records and nurse notes documented multiple incidents where these residents were found smoking illegal substances, often using improvised devices such as soda cans. In each instance, staff provided education about the risks of recreational drug use and reminded residents of the facility's policy prohibiting such substances. Despite these interventions, the residents continued to use illegal substances, and the facility's response was limited to confiscating the substances and re-educating the residents. The facility's policy stated that marijuana was not allowed due to federal funding, and outlined steps for staff to take when residents were found with marijuana, including notifying authorities and conducting an investigation. However, the administrator acknowledged that no substance abuse program or additional services were offered to residents with substance abuse diagnoses. The administrator also indicated a lack of familiarity with the facility's policy, and confirmed that the facility's approach was limited to confiscation of substances when discovered.