Failure to Timely Report Alleged Sexual Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure timely reporting of an allegation of sexual abuse to the State Agency, as required by federal and state regulations. A resident with severe cognitive impairment, dependent on staff for all activities of daily living and diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease, cerebral infarction, depression, anxiety, and cerebrovascular disease, was found in her wheelchair in the lounge with another resident's hand in her brief. The incident was documented by the DON, and the residents were immediately separated and placed on 15-minute checks. Despite the immediate intervention, the Administrator did not report the incident to the State Agency within the required two-hour timeframe. The Administrator stated that the delay was due to his belief that no abuse had occurred. Facility policy mandates that all alleged violations involving abuse must be reported within the proper time frame, but this procedure was not followed in this case.