Failure to Investigate and Respond to Abuse Allegations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its written policies and procedures to ensure a complete and thorough investigation of three allegations of abuse involving two residents. Specifically, after two residents reported allegations of sexual and physical abuse by an employee to a Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant, the facility did not recognize or investigate the reported sexual abuse on the date it was reported. Documentation shows that the employee accused of abuse was suspended but returned to work the following day after receiving education, without a completed investigation into the allegations. Additionally, the facility did not assess one of the residents after the alleged abuse, nor did it notify the resident's physician or family as required. The clinical record lacked evidence of a physician assessment following the abuse allegation. These failures were confirmed by the Nursing Home Administrator, who acknowledged that the facility did not follow its own policies and procedures for investigating abuse allegations.