Failure to Complete Required Background Check for Contracted Hairstylist
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its written policies and procedures to prohibit and prevent abuse, neglect, and exploitation by not ensuring a thorough caregiver background check was completed for a contracted hairstylist. According to the facility's policy, all potential employees, contracted staff, volunteers, and consultants must undergo background, reference, and credentials checks, with documentation maintained as proof. However, when the surveyor requested background check information for a sample of staff, it was found that the hairstylist's background check was not completed prior to providing services, and the hire date was not documented. The only available documentation was a Background Information Disclosure form dated after the surveyor's request, with no evidence of a state background check conducted beforehand. Interviews with the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) confirmed that the hairstylist was not considered an employee, and therefore, a background check was not initially completed, despite the individual being paid by the facility and providing services to residents since the previous year. The NHA acknowledged that, per facility policy, a background check should have been completed before the hairstylist began working with residents. The hairstylist also confirmed providing monthly services to residents and being compensated by the facility.