Failure to Timely Report Allegations of Suspected Abuse by Nursing Staff
Penalty
Summary
Two registered nurses failed to report allegations of suspected abuse involving two residents. In the first case, a resident with Parkinson's disease, spinal stenosis, and moderate cognitive impairment reported to a nurse that an agency CNA had handled him roughly during care, resulting in pain and minor injuries. The nurse spoke to the CNA and instructed her to be more careful but did not report the allegation to management as required. The resident had visible bruising and scabbing, some of which was attributed to the use of a sit/stand lift and scratching due to dry skin. In the second case, another resident with Alzheimer's disease, dementia, and moderate cognitive impairment told an agency CNA that she was being rough during incontinent care, causing pain due to arthritis in her shoulders. The CNA slowed down after being told, but did not offer pain medication or inquire further. The CNA reported the resident's statement to a nurse, who checked on the resident later and documented the incident in the progress notes but did not recognize it as an allegation of abuse requiring immediate reporting to management. Both incidents were later discovered by facility management during reviews of resident complaints and progress notes. The failure to report these allegations of suspected abuse by the nurses constituted non-compliance with regulatory requirements for timely reporting and investigation of abuse allegations.