Failure to Timely Report Allegation of Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of abuse involving one resident, despite having a policy that requires immediate reporting and investigation of all allegations, suspicions, and incidents of abuse, neglect, or misappropriation of resident property. The policy mandates that such allegations be reported to the Administrator, who must then notify local and state agencies. In this case, the required reporting did not occur when a resident complained of pain following care provided by a nurse aide. The resident in question had diagnoses including cachexia, dysphagia, and hypothyroidism, and was assessed as cognitively intact. Progress notes documented that the resident experienced acute lower back pain after being turned during incontinence care by a nurse aide. The resident and their family reported the incident, stating that the pain began when the aide elevated the resident's legs during care. Medical evaluations, including x-rays and a CT scan, were performed, with findings that did not confirm an acute injury but did note an indeterminate compression fracture. Despite these reports and the facility's policy, the allegation of abuse was not reported to administration or to the appropriate authorities in a timely manner. The Director of Nursing later confirmed that the required reporting did not occur for this incident, resulting in noncompliance with state regulations regarding the reporting of alleged violations.