Failure to Promptly Investigate and Report Alleged Misappropriation of Resident Funds
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate and notify the appropriate agencies regarding an incident of potential misappropriation of a resident's money. A resident reported that $80 was missing from their purse, which had been given to them by their spouse for use at the beautician. The resident discovered the missing funds approximately one week prior to notifying the facility and subsequently sent the purse home with their spouse. The resident and their spouse had previously declined to set up a resident fund account or use a key-locked drawer for securing personal funds, and there was no documentation of any prior incidents involving missing funds for this resident. Upon notification of the missing money, the facility's social worker re-educated the resident and spouse about available options for securing funds, but both continued to decline these services. Despite the facility's policy requiring prompt and thorough investigation of misappropriation allegations, there was no documentation that an investigation was initiated or conducted prior to several days after the incident was reported. Documentation of required investigative steps, such as interviews and searches, was not provided until after the surveyor's request, indicating a delay in the facility's response to the reported misappropriation.