Failure to Complete Required Out-of-State Background Check for RN
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its written policies and procedures designed to prohibit and prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation of resident property. Specifically, the facility's policy requires comprehensive background checks for all employees, including out-of-state criminal background checks if the individual has resided outside of Wisconsin within the past three years. The policy outlines that such checks are necessary prior to allowing employees to work with residents. Despite these requirements, a review of a registered nurse's (RN J) employment records revealed that the facility did not obtain an out-of-state criminal background check, even though RN J had recently lived in California. The omission was confirmed during an interview with the Human Resources Business Partner, who acknowledged that the California background check was not completed before RN J began providing patient care. This failure to follow established screening procedures resulted in noncompliance with the facility's own abuse prevention policy.