Failure to Report Alleged Verbal Abuse to State Agency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of verbal abuse involving a resident was reported to the appropriate state agency in accordance with state law and facility policy. A resident filed a grievance alleging that a staff member, the Plant Director, was aggressive and yelled at her. The grievance was submitted to the Activities Director, who then passed it to the Social Services Director, and subsequently to the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA). Despite this, the resident was not informed of the outcome, and the original grievance form could not be located by the NHA. Interviews with involved staff confirmed the sequence of reporting, but none were aware of any further action or outcome regarding the grievance. A review of facility records revealed no documentation of the grievance for the relevant month, and the facility's policies require that all allegations of abuse, neglect, or mistreatment be reported to the state survey agency and other officials within five working days. The investigation found that the facility did not follow its own procedures or state law in reporting the alleged abuse, as there was no evidence that the incident was reported to the governing agency or that the results of any investigation were submitted as required.