Failure to Train Dietary Contractor Staff on Abuse Prevention and Reporting
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its abuse prevention policy by not ensuring that all dietary contractor staff received training on identifying and reporting abuse. According to the facility's Abuse Prevention Program policy, all staff are required to undergo mandated training on abuse prevention, identification, and reporting. However, record review and interviews revealed that none of the 18 dietary contractor staff members had received this training prior to working in the facility. The dietary contractor was responsible for providing this training, as outlined in the Management Service Agreement, but the abuse training was omitted from the orientation process for these staff members. Interviews with facility leadership, including the DON, human resources, regional director of operations, and the administrator, confirmed that the dietary contractor was expected to provide abuse training to their employees, but this requirement was either overlooked or not included in the contract. As a result, 141 residents resided in the facility without assurance that all staff interacting with them were trained to identify and report abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, as required by facility policy.