Failure to Protect Resident from Financial Exploitation
Penalty
Summary
A cognitively intact female resident reported that her bank card was stolen and used for unauthorized purchases while she was admitted to the hospital. The resident stated she did not give her card to anyone and discovered unrecognized charges upon her return. The facility received her bank card through the mail and, instead of securing it, the mail was left under her pillow by the Activity Director, who was unaware that the resident was not present in the facility. This lapse in mail handling allowed the card to be accessed by unauthorized individuals. Subsequent investigation revealed that a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) was identified by police as the individual using the resident's card at a neighborhood store. The CNA denied taking the card but was suspended after the facility and police confirmed multiple unauthorized transactions. The Social Service Director and Human Resource Director both acknowledged that staff are not permitted to make purchases for residents, and the CNA's actions were outside the scope of their duties. The facility's abuse prevention policy states that residents have the right to be free from exploitation and misappropriation of property, which was not upheld in this instance.