Failure to Report Alleged Exploitation and Misappropriation of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all alleged violations involving exploitation and misappropriation of resident property were reported to the state agency as required. Specifically, a female resident with moderately impaired cognition and a history of cerebral atherosclerosis and morbid obesity reported that her ID card, social security card, and bank cards were missing from her wallet after a family visit. She also alleged that her monthly social security check was moved to another account without her knowledge. The social worker (SW) documented these allegations and took steps to contact Adult Protective Services (APS) and the police, and the administrator signed off on the grievance report. Despite these actions, the facility did not report the allegations to the state agency. The SW stated she was unaware that such allegations needed to be reported to the state agency and believed that notifying the administrator was sufficient, as the administrator typically handled reporting. The administrator confirmed awareness of the allegations and that reports were made to APS and the police, but did not report to the state agency, believing it was unnecessary since only cards were involved and there was no confirmed theft of money. The administrator also admitted unfamiliarity with the facility's reporting policy and indicated a need to review it for requirements. Facility policy requires reporting all allegations of misappropriation of resident property, exploitation, and mistreatment to the administrator, state agency, APS, and other required agencies within specified timeframes. The policy specifically includes misappropriation of resident property as a reportable incident, regardless of whether serious bodily injury occurred. The failure to report the incident to the state agency was contrary to both facility policy and regulatory requirements.