Misappropriation of Resident Property by Staff Member
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a staff member removed a resident's credit card from the resident's wallet, which was kept in an unlocked drawer in the resident's room, and used it to make unauthorized purchases in the community. The resident had diagnoses including dementia, multiple rib fractures, and muscle weakness, and was documented to have some short and long-term memory recall deficits. The unauthorized use of the credit card was discovered after the resident's family noticed unknown charges on the credit card statement and reported it to the facility. The facility's investigation confirmed that the credit card was missing and had been used for unauthorized purchases over a period of time. Video footage provided by the police enabled the facility to identify the staff member responsible. The staff member, a nurse aide, was able to access the resident's wallet and credit card due to the unsecured storage in the resident's room. Facility policy prohibits misappropriation of resident property, defining it as the wrongful use of a resident's belongings or money without consent.