Failure to Notify Physician and Power of Attorney After Resident Elopement
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the physician and power of attorney following an incident in which a resident eloped from the memory care unit. The resident exited the facility through an alarmed door and was found by a family member in a nearby church parking lot, approximately a football field away from the facility. The LPN on duty did not complete an assessment, notify the resident's physician or family, or follow the facility's Missing Resident Policy, which requires immediate notifications and specific actions when a resident is discovered missing. The administrator was unaware of the incident until after it occurred, and the nurse practitioner confirmed that no communication was received regarding the elopement. The Director of Nursing was informed by the LPN after the resident was found but only instructed the LPN to document the resident's exit-seeking behavior. The facility's policy mandates prompt notification of the attending physician and legal representative, as well as thorough documentation and incident reporting, none of which were completed in this case.