Failure to Timely Report Misappropriation of Resident Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of misappropriation of property within 24 hours, as required by policy and regulation. A resident with moderate cognitive impairment was admitted with $669.00 in their wallet, which was placed by staff in a narcotic drawer of a medication cart upon admission. When the charge nurse returned to the facility, the money was missing, and no staff could account for its location after it was initially stored. The incident was documented, and the facility's investigation indicated that the money was in the facility's possession but was not stored or reported correctly to the Administrator or Director of Nursing (DON). Staff became aware of the missing money on one date, and the resident inquired about it several days later, but the incident was not reported to the state survey agency until nearly two weeks after the initial discovery. The facility's policy required immediate reporting of such allegations to the Administrator and DON, and notification to state or federal agencies within specified timeframes. Interviews confirmed that the DON was not aware of the allegation until much later, and the Administrator acknowledged the delay in reporting to the state survey agency.