Failure to Investigate and Report Staff Misappropriation of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to conduct a thorough investigation and did not report an allegation of misappropriation involving a certified nursing assistant (CNA) to the State Board of Nursing. A resident with Alzheimer's disease and dementia was found to have multiple twenty dollar bills and explained to a nurse that a staff member, identified as a friend, had used the resident's bank card to withdraw cash. The nurse documented the incident and secured the cash, but the debit card was not returned. Further review revealed that the staff member, who was assigned to care for the resident and spouse, had also taken other items such as a garage remote and keys, and significant unauthorized withdrawals and expenses were made from the resident's account. The facility's investigation file lacked documentation of interviews with the CNA, did not identify the CNA as the resident's friend, and did not include a determination of the outcome of the in-house investigation. Additionally, there was no evidence that the CNA was reported to the State Board of Nursing, despite facility policy requiring notification of relevant licensing boards when an employee is found to have committed abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation. The deficient practice had the potential to place all residents at risk for unreported financial exploitation.