Failure to Timely Respond to Request for Resident's Personal Belongings After Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accommodate the exercise of a resident representative's rights by not responding in a timely manner to a request for the resident's personal belongings after discharge. The resident in question had diagnoses including dementia, epilepsy, and major depressive disorder, and was discharged from the facility. Despite multiple requests from the resident's sister for the return of personal belongings, there was no documented response or update provided by facility staff. The Social Services Director (SSD) acknowledged that the request was received but had not contacted the family or confirmed the whereabouts of the belongings. A search of the storage area did not locate the items, and there was no documentation in the resident's record indicating the belongings were returned or received by the family. Interviews with facility staff, including the SSD, Business Office Manager (BOM), and administrator, confirmed that the request for the resident's belongings was communicated internally but not acted upon or followed up with the family. Facility policy requires that grievances be acknowledged and updates provided within 72 hours, and that personal property be returned and documented at discharge. These procedures were not followed, resulting in the resident's representative not receiving the requested belongings or communication regarding their status.