Failure to Timely Report Allegation of Sexual Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of sexual abuse involving one resident within the required two-hour timeframe. The administrator, who serves as the abuse coordinator, was notified by email from the ombudsman at approximately 1:00 PM that a possible sexual abuse incident had been reported by an LPN. Despite the administrator's expectation that all abuse allegations be reported to him immediately and then to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) within two hours, the initial report was not faxed to IDPH until 5:44 PM, exceeding the mandated reporting window. Interviews confirmed that the LPN had received in-service training on abuse reporting, and the DON was aware of the two-hour reporting requirement, but the administrator was responsible for the actual reporting process. Documentation reviewed included the incident report, in-service attendance records, and the facility's abuse policy, all supporting the finding that the report was not made in a timely manner.