Delayed Reporting of Alleged Sexual Abuse Incident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to immediately report an alleged incident of sexual abuse involving a resident with cognitive communication deficit and dementia. The incident occurred when an activity assistant observed another resident, who has aphasia and hemiplegia, touching the first resident's lap near the groin area during a group activity. The activity assistant intervened by stopping the behavior and separating the residents but did not notify her supervisor or report the incident to the appropriate agencies at that time. Documentation shows that the required Report of Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse (SOC 341) was not faxed to the Department until the following day, more than two hours after the incident occurred. The facility's policy requires immediate reporting of all allegations of abuse as mandated by law and regulation. The delay in reporting was confirmed through interviews and review of the facility's fax log and policy documents.