Failure to Report Allegation of Neglect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of neglect involving one resident. According to the facility's Abuse Protection policy, all accidents or incidents, regardless of severity, must be reported to the department supervisor and to State agencies as required. A review of the clinical record showed that a resident, who was dependent for lower body dressing due to multiple diagnoses including high blood pressure, cancer, and a mood disorder, arrived at an outside appointment without any pants on. The outside provider notified the facility of this incident. Despite this notification, the facility did not include the incident in the information submitted to the State Agency. During an interview, the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the incident was not identified or reported as an allegation of neglect. This failure to report was found to be in violation of the facility's own policy and state regulations.