Failure to Timely Report Misappropriation of Resident Funds
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that all alleged violations involving abuse, neglect, exploitation, or mistreatment, including injuries of unknown sources, were reported immediately or within the required timeframe to the administrator and appropriate authorities. Specifically, an incident involving the misappropriation of a resident's funds by a former employee was not reported to law enforcement or the State Agency as required. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had multiple medical diagnoses including necrotizing fasciitis, diabetes with neuropathy, major depressive disorder, and fibromyalgia, reported missing funds from her bank account. The charge nurse directed the resident to the Business Office Manager and Administrator, who investigated and confirmed that over $300 in purchases were made using the resident's debit card by a former employee after their termination, with items shipped to the ex-employee's home address. Despite confirming the misappropriation, the previous administrator decided not to report the incident, citing the refunded amount and canceled card as reasons. The facility's grievance log and reporting system showed no self-reported incident related to the misappropriation, and the facility's policy required immediate reporting of such incidents. Interviews with the DON and current administrator confirmed that the incident was not reported as required by state and federal regulations, and the facility's own policy. The resident had initially given her debit card to the employee to purchase clothing, but unauthorized charges occurred months after the employee's departure.