Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when an allegation of abuse involving a resident with dementia, anxiety, and repeated falls was not reported to the facility Administrator or designee within the required two-hour timeframe. The resident, who had impaired cognition and required assistance with daily activities, was the subject of an incident witnessed by a nurse aide (NA #1). NA #1 observed another nurse aide (NA #2) continue to attempt care after the resident refused, which NA #1 perceived as abusive. NA #1 intervened by directing NA #2 to leave the room and redirected the resident. Despite facility policy requiring immediate reporting of abuse allegations, NA #1 did not report the incident until the following day. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the policy mandates reporting within two hours of the incident, and that NA #1 failed to comply with this requirement. Facility documentation and interviews corroborated that the delay in reporting constituted a failure to follow established abuse reporting protocols.