Failure to Report Alleged Staff-to-Resident Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of potential staff-to-resident abuse to the State Agency as required by policy and regulation. A resident reported feeling threatened by the Operations Manager (OM), who stated that if the resident did not resolve an outstanding bill, the facility would issue a 30-day notice and, if no alternate placement was found, the OM would take the resident to a homeless shelter with their medications. The resident communicated these concerns to the Social Service Director (SSD), expressing that they felt threatened and did not want to be placed at a homeless shelter. Despite the resident's report and the SSD's acknowledgment that the resident was verbally abused, the SSD did not report the allegation to the State Agency or notify anyone else at the facility. A review of facility investigations over the relevant period showed no evidence that this allegation of verbal abuse was reported as required. The OM confirmed the statements made to the resident regarding discharge and potential placement at a homeless shelter.