Failure to Provide Resident Fund Access on Weekends and Holidays
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that resident funds were accessible on holidays and weekends, as required by facility policy and state regulations. Review of the facility's procedures indicated that residents should be able to access their trust account funds even when the business office is closed, with a process in place for RNs to issue cash from a locked bank bag. However, interviews with residents revealed that requests for funds on weekends were not fulfilled, with one resident stating she was unable to access her money on a Saturday and another reporting a delay in receiving requested cash. Multiple staff members, including RNs and nurse aides, confirmed that they either directed residents to the business office or informed them that funds were not available outside regular hours, indicating a lack of awareness or implementation of the established process. Further interviews with staff and temporary business office personnel revealed confusion and inconsistency regarding the process for accessing resident funds when the business office was closed. Some staff believed cash should be available in a cart or locked box, while others stated that no such system was in place or that they were unaware of it. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the facility did not provide residents with access to their funds on weekends and holidays as required, resulting in noncompliance with state regulations regarding management and resident rights.