Failure to Timely Report Allegation of Abuse
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to implement their abuse policy by not reporting an allegation of abuse within the required timeframe for one resident. According to the facility's policy, any alleged violations involving abuse must be reported to the State Agency immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation is made if the event involves abuse or results in serious bodily injury. In this case, a resident alleged that a nurse hit him on the arm. The nurse denied the allegation, stating that the resident attempted to strike at her, and there was a witness to corroborate this. Upon notification, the nurse was suspended, and the administrator assessed the resident, finding no visible injuries. The resident was later transferred to the hospital for altered mental status. Documentation showed that the incident occurred and was reported internally on the same day, but the report to the State Agency was not sent until the following day, exceeding the two-hour reporting requirement. Interviews with administrative staff confirmed that the event qualified as an abuse allegation that should have been reported within two hours, as per facility policy. The delay in reporting constituted a failure to follow established procedures for timely notification of abuse allegations.