Failure to Report Resident Abuse to Law Enforcement
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of abuse to local law enforcement as required by its own policies. A cognitively intact resident with a history of cerebral infarction, anxiety, and depression reported that a Certified Medication Technician (CMT) forcefully grabbed their face and pushed them down the hall after the resident was seen looking for cigarettes on an unlocked medication cart. The resident sustained visible injuries, including a scratch and a bruise on the face, which were observed by staff. The resident disclosed the incident to an LPN, the Administrator in Training (AIT), and the Administrator, expressing fear of further retaliation from the CMT. The facility's investigation confirmed the resident's account, and the Administrator acknowledged that abuse had occurred. Despite this, the Administrator and Director of Nursing (DON) did not notify law enforcement of the incident, contrary to the facility's written policies that require timely reporting of suspected abuse to authorities. The CMT was instructed to leave the facility following the report, but law enforcement was not contacted at any point during or after the investigation.