Resident's Personal Property Misappropriated by Staff
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident's personal property, specifically an iPad with a blue cover, was taken from the facility. The resident, who had diagnoses including dementia, anxiety, generalized muscle weakness, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was identified as having moderately impaired cognition and required substantial assistance with activities of daily living. The missing iPad was reported by the resident's family when they arrived to collect the resident's belongings. Facility staff conducted a search and notified all departments, but the iPad was not found. The family later used the iCloud account to track the device, which was located at a middle school outside the facility. An internal investigation was initiated, and the police were notified. The facility provided the police with a list of staff who had cared for the resident, as well as other relevant information. The police instructed the facility to allow them to handle the investigation as a criminal matter. During the investigation, a staff member was placed on administrative leave, and it was later identified that the iPad was returned to the family and the suspect was a nursing assistant. The facility's policy states that residents have the right to be free from misappropriation of property, but in this instance, the resident's property was not protected from wrongful use.