Failure to Safeguard Resident Belongings After Death
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to safeguard the personal belongings of a resident after the resident passed away. The resident, who had diagnoses including cerebrovascular disease, cerebral infarction, anemia, and was receiving palliative care, had an inventory of personal effects completed upon admission. After the resident's death, the family reported several missing items, including a radio/CD player, a jazz CD, a pair of pajama pants, and a pair of reading glasses. The facility's Social Worker confirmed that these items were not found despite a search and acknowledged that the belongings list was not updated when new items were brought in by the family. Interviews with facility staff, including the Social Worker and the DON, revealed that the facility's policy required updating the inventory of resident belongings as necessary, but this was not done in this case. The facility's own policy also stated that resident belongings should be treated with respect and that residents have the right to be free from theft or misappropriation of property. The failure to update the belongings list and secure the resident's property resulted in the loss of items that could have had sentimental value for the family.