Failure to Report Alleged Abuse to State Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of physical abuse involving a male resident with a history of anxiety disorder, muscle weakness, legal blindness, history of falling, and need for assistance with personal care. The resident was admitted to the facility and, during an emergency department visit, reported that facility staff were abusing him. The resident specifically told the facility's administrator, who also served as the abuse coordinator, that staff were hitting and kicking him. This allegation was made directly to the administrator after staff called him to the resident's room due to the resident's behavior, which included kneeling on the floor, refusing food and medication, and requesting to be sent to the hospital. Despite the resident's clear allegation of abuse, the administrator did not submit a report to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) as required by the facility's policy and state law. The facility's policy states that all alleged or suspected violations and substantiated incidents of abuse must be promptly reported to the Ombudsman, law enforcement, and CDPH within 24 hours if no serious bodily injury occurred. As of the date of the survey, no report had been made to CDPH regarding this incident.