Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse to Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of abuse within the mandated two-hour timeframe for one resident. The resident, who had dementia and mild cognitive impairment, was admitted with a need for assistance with personal care. According to the progress note, the resident's daughter informed a nurse that the resident reported being slapped twice on the face, an incident that allegedly occurred three weeks prior. The nurse documented the allegation, and a skin assessment was performed. Despite the facility's policy requiring immediate phone notification and a written report (SOC 341) to be faxed to the licensing agency within two hours of learning of suspected abuse, the notification to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) was not received until the following day. The administrator, who served as the Abuse Coordinator, acknowledged the delay and stated that the SOC 341 was faxed again after realizing the initial attempt was not confirmed. A review of CDPH's logs showed no evidence of a timely phone call or fax from the facility on the day the allegation was reported.