Failure to Conduct Thorough Abuse Investigation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct a thorough investigation into an allegation of abuse made by a resident. The resident reported concerns about inadequate resources, such as running out of trash bags, briefs, moisturizers, and wipes, and expressed the belief that this constituted a form of elder abuse. The facility's investigation included notifying the state agency, informing the administrator and DON, interviewing the resident, revising the care plan, reviewing supply invoices, and checking supply rooms for adequate stock. However, the investigation report did not include interviews with other residents or staff members. During a subsequent interview, the administrator acknowledged that the investigation was not as thorough as usual and confirmed that interviews with other residents and staff were not documented or conducted. This incomplete investigation did not meet the facility's policy or regulatory requirements for a systematic and comprehensive review of abuse allegations.