Failure to Timely Report Alleged Verbal Abuse to Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of verbal abuse involving a resident with moderate cognitive impairment in a timely manner, as required by policy. On 6/02/25, a Behavioral Department staff member witnessed a social worker berating and taunting the resident, including calling the resident a 'crack addict.' The staff member reported this observation to both their immediate supervisor and the former administrator. However, the former administrator treated the report as a grievance and did not notify the Department of Public Health (DPH) within the mandated two-hour window. The incident was only reported to the DPH approximately six weeks later, after the Director of Nursing became aware of the situation during a subsequent investigation into a related allegation. The delay in reporting was confirmed through interviews and review of written witness statements, as well as the facility's own records. The former administrator did not respond to requests for an interview by the DPH, and the failure to report the abuse allegation promptly constituted non-compliance with state requirements.