Failure to Report Allegation of Physical Abuse to State Survey Agency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the State Survey Agency (SSA) of an allegation of physical abuse involving one resident. According to the facility's policy, all employees are required to immediately notify administrative staff and the SSA of any complaint or allegation of resident abuse as soon as the facility becomes aware. In this case, the Director of Nursing (DON) was informed by a hospital Social Worker about concerns regarding bruising observed on a resident's body. The Social Worker communicated that the bruises were noted during the resident's hospital stay, and the DON explained that the resident had previously fallen forward out of his wheelchair due to a tendency to lean forward. Despite being made aware of the bruising and the concern raised by the hospital Social Worker, there was no documentation that the SSA was notified of this allegation of physical abuse. The Administrator confirmed during an interview that the call from the hospital Social Worker was known and acknowledged that the incident was not reported to the SSA as required by facility policy.