Failure to Provide Communication Training to Direct Care Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required training on effective communication to direct care staff members, as evidenced by a review of job descriptions, facility documents, and staff interviews. The Nursing Assistant and Licensed Practical Nurse job descriptions both specify the need to complete all assigned training and education as required by law and regulation. However, personnel file reviews for three staff members—a nurse aide hired in 2014, a nurse aide hired in 2000, and an LPN hired in 2020—showed no record of education or training related to effective communication. Interviews with the Human Resources Director and the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that these staff members had not completed the necessary education on effective communication, despite the facility's requirement for annual training. This deficiency was cited under 28 Pa. Code: 201.14(a) Responsibility of Licensee and 28 Pa. Code: 201.20(a) Staff Development.