Failure to Timely Report Alleged Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of verbal abuse involving a resident was reported immediately, but no later than two hours after the allegation was made, to the State Survey Agency. According to the facility's policy, any alleged violation of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment must be reported within two hours if it involves abuse or results in serious bodily injury. In this case, a staff member from a third-party company reported to the facility administrator that she had witnessed a facility staff member curse at a resident in front of others after the resident urinated on the floor. The incident was discussed with facility staff, and notes were made regarding the investigation. Despite being informed of the incident, the administrator did not report the allegation to the Department of Health, as required, because he did not believe it was warranted based on his findings, including the delay in reporting and the resident's lack of recollection of the event. The administrator confirmed that no report was made through the Statewide Incident Management System (SIMS) after becoming aware of the alleged verbal abuse. The resident involved had a medical history including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Type II Diabetes, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia with lower urinary tract symptoms, and Obstructive and Reflux Uropathy.