Failure to Provide Accessible Grievance Forms and Anonymous Submission Options
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that grievance forms were available and accessible to residents on both the first and second floor nursing units. According to the facility's own policy, residents and their representatives have the right to file grievances either orally or in writing, including anonymously, and the administrator is designated as the grievance officer. However, during a resident council meeting, four alert and oriented residents reported that they were not aware of how to file a grievance or where to find a grievance form within the facility. Additionally, a review of the Grievance/Concern Form showed there was no space to indicate that a grievance was being filed anonymously. A tour conducted with the Director of Social Services confirmed that there were no grievance forms accessible for residents, family, or advocates on either nursing unit. Furthermore, there were no labeled locked boxes available for submitting anonymous grievances. These findings were confirmed by the Nursing Home Administrator. The deficiency was cited under multiple Pennsylvania Codes related to the responsibility of the licensee, management, and resident rights.