Failure to Complete Required Employee Screening for Abuse Prevention
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its own procedures for screening prospective employees as required by both federal and state regulations. Specifically, a review of the facility's abuse prohibition policy indicated that references from two previous employers must be obtained for all new hires. However, personnel files for two employees, a Licensed Practical Nurse and a Nurse Aide, showed that there was no documentation that the facility had contacted their most recent former employers to verify employment history or eligibility for work in a long-term care setting. During an interview, the Nursing Home Administrator was unable to provide evidence that these required employment verifications had been completed. This lack of documentation and follow-through resulted in the facility not adhering to its written abuse prevention policy and regulatory requirements for employee screening. No information was provided regarding any residents directly affected or their medical conditions at the time of the deficiency.