Failure to Timely Address and Document Resident Grievance Regarding Personal Property
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to document and address a grievance made by a resident's representative in a timely manner. A resident, who was cognitively intact and had multiple complex medical diagnoses, was discharged to the hospital for ongoing medical issues. During his stay, the resident's family reported a missing lamp, which was later found in the facility's maintenance office. The lamp had been removed from the resident's room by the Plant Operations Director after it was discovered that it was plugged into an extension cord. The Plant Operations Director informed the resident about the removal, but there was no documented response from the resident. The family left a note on the resident's door requesting the return of the lamp, and the Administrator acknowledged being aware of this request. However, the Administrator did not return the lamp to the family and was unable to provide documentation of any grievance investigation, resident concern form, or resolution to the grievance. The facility's policy required concerns to be entered electronically and resolved within 24-48 hours, but there was no evidence that this process was followed in this case.