Failure to Ensure Immediate Reporting of Abuse Allegations and Completion of Employee Background Checks
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to develop and implement a comprehensive abuse policy that directed staff to immediately report any allegations to the Administrator. The existing policy on Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation included procedures for investigating allegations and required reporting to the Administrator, but did not specify a timeframe or explicitly instruct staff to report allegations immediately. This omission was identified during a review of the facility's undated policy documents. Additionally, the facility did not ensure that background checks were completed for new employees as required by its own policy. A review of an LPN's personnel file showed no evidence of a completed background check, and an interview with Human Resources confirmed that a background check was submitted but rejected and never rerun. The facility's policy required screening potential employees for a history of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation of resident property, as well as conducting background, reference, and credential checks for all potential employees and affiliated personnel.