Failure to Investigate Allegation of Missing Resident Money
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to thoroughly investigate an allegation of missing money for one resident. The resident reported that $650 was missing from a pill bottle kept in a dresser drawer after returning from dialysis. The facility's policy requires that all alleged violations, including misappropriation of resident property, be reported and investigated. However, the grievance form indicated that the facility did not find evidence that the resident had the money and noted inconsistencies in the reported amount and lack of knowledge about the denominations. The resident was informed that the facility was not responsible for the missing money, and the risks and benefits of securing valuables were discussed. The resident's care plan reflected a preference to keep money on their person and a refusal to use a lockbox, with interventions to encourage secure storage of valuables. Interviews and record reviews revealed that the resident had reported missing money on two occasions while residing in different units. The resident had intact cognition, as indicated by a BIMS score of 13 out of 15, and diagnoses including end stage renal disease, schizophrenia, and blindness in both eyes. The Director of Nursing confirmed that no investigation was conducted due to the lack of evidence that the resident possessed the money and the resident's changing statements regarding the amount. Progress notes did not document the resident's complaint of missing money, and the facility did not initiate a formal investigation into the allegation.