Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse to Authorities
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of employee-to-resident verbal and physical abuse within the required two-hour timeframe to the State Survey Agency (SSA). A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) reported to the Director of Nursing (DON) that a Life Enrichment Coordinator (LEC) allegedly threw a towel or sweater at a resident's face and yelled at the resident, which was considered verbal and physical abuse. The incident was witnessed by a Restorative Nursing Assistant (RNA), who reported the event to the DON on 8/29/2025, even though the alleged abuse occurred on 8/5/2025. The facility subsequently reported the allegation to the SSA 24 days after the initial incident. The resident involved had a history of hemiplegia, hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and dysphagia, and was assessed as having moderately impaired cognition. Interviews with facility staff, including the Assistant Administrator (Abuse Coordinator) and the DON, confirmed that the abuse allegation was not reported within the required two-hour window as outlined in the facility's Abuse Prevention and Prohibition Program policy. The delay in reporting was attributed to the RNA not promptly informing the DON, which led to the facility's late notification to the appropriate authorities.