Failure to Report Alleged Misappropriation of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of missing money to the State Agency (SA) as required by its own policy and regulatory expectations. A resident, who had diagnoses including end stage renal disease, schizophrenia, and blindness in both eyes, reported that $650 was missing from a pill bottle kept in a dresser drawer after returning from dialysis. The resident had previously reported another incident of missing money. The facility's grievance form documented that the resident changed the reported amount of missing money several times and was unable to specify the denominations. The facility searched the resident's room but did not find the money and noted there was no evidence the resident had the reported amount. The resident was informed that the facility was not responsible for the missing money, and the risks and benefits of using a lockbox or sending valuables home were discussed. Despite the facility's policy requiring that all alleged violations, including misappropriation of resident property, be reported to the required agencies within 24 hours, the allegation was not reported to the SA. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the incident was not reported because of the lack of evidence that the resident had the money and the inconsistencies in the resident's statements. The resident's care plan indicated a preference to keep money on their person and a refusal to use a lockbox, with ongoing encouragement documented to use safer storage options. There was no documentation in the resident's progress notes regarding the complaint of missing money.