Failure to Timely Report Allegations of Abuse and Neglect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report all allegations and five-day follow-up reports of abuse and/or neglect to the required agencies within the mandated time frames. This deficiency was identified through a review of the facility's filed grievances over a 12-month period, which revealed 16 separate allegations involving 13 residents. These allegations included instances of staff yelling at residents, residents being left in soiled clothing or bedding, delayed or inadequate response to call bells, rough handling during care, and concerns about unexplained injuries and possible theft. In several cases, grievances were voiced by residents or their families to various staff members, including social services, nursing, and the Director of Nursing (DON). Despite the nature of these grievances, none of the incidents were found on the facility's reportable log for the same time frame, indicating that they were not reported to the appropriate authorities as required. The Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) confirmed during an interview that if the incidents were not on the log, they had not been reported. The NHA also acknowledged that the reviewed allegations should have been reported and assumed that the social worker had completed the necessary reporting, which was not the case. The documented grievances described a range of concerns, such as residents being left wet or soiled for extended periods, staff making inappropriate or loud comments, delayed assistance with toileting, and rough or neglectful care. In some cases, family members observed and reported the conditions directly to staff, while in others, residents themselves voiced their concerns. The lack of timely reporting and follow-up for these allegations represents a failure to comply with regulatory requirements for reporting suspected abuse, neglect, or theft.