Failure to Document and Track Resident Property Loss
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to exercise reasonable care for the protection of a resident's property from loss or theft by not documenting a reported incident of a lost or stolen coin purse containing identification and a Social Security card in the facility's Theft and Loss log. The resident, who had diagnoses including hypertension, osteoarthritis, and COPD, was cognitively intact and able to make decisions. She reported that her coin purse, which also contained $600, was stolen from underneath her pillow, and she requested that the social worker file a police report, which was subsequently done. Upon being informed of the incident, the social service designee arranged for the replacement of the resident's identification and Social Security card and filed a police report. However, the designee did not complete the required Theft and Loss Report or document the incident in the Lost and Stolen Property Log, as mandated by the facility's policy. The supervisor confirmed that such documentation should have occurred whenever resident property is reported lost or stolen. A review of the facility's Lost and Stolen Property Logs for the relevant months revealed additional deficiencies, including missing estimated values of lost or stolen items and lack of documentation regarding the date and time the loss or theft was discovered or occurred. The logs did not allow for determination of whether the documented date and time reflected the discovery or the actual occurrence of the incident, contrary to facility policy. The Director of Nurses acknowledged that the facility's theft and loss policy was not followed and that required information was missing from the logs.