Failure to Timely Report Alleged Neglect Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely reporting of a reasonable suspicion of a crime involving neglect for one resident. According to the facility's policy, all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment must be reported to the appropriate authorities within two hours if serious bodily injury occurred, or within twenty-four hours if not. In this case, an allegation was made that a respiratory therapist (RT) did not provide a breathing treatment and disconnected the oxygen concentrator for a resident. The incident was reported to the RT Supervisor via text, who acknowledged that the event constituted neglect and abuse and should have been reported immediately, but the actual report was made six days after the incident. Interviews with facility staff, including the RT Supervisor, an RN, the ADON, and the Administrator, confirmed that the neglect allegation was reported late and not in accordance with facility policy. The Administrator stated he was informed of the allegation several days after the incident and verified that the reporting was not timely. The failure to report the allegation promptly meant that the incident was not investigated or addressed within the required timeframe.