Failure to Timely Report Alleged Abuse by Family Member
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of verbal abuse involving a resident and a family member was reported to the appropriate authorities within the required timeframe. On the date of the incident, a family member was observed by another resident and a visitor yelling, using profanity, and throwing a hanger in the resident's room. Both witnesses reported the incident to the facility's Social Services staff, who in turn reported it to the previous Nursing Home Administrator. Despite the facility's policies requiring immediate reporting of suspected abuse to local, state, and federal agencies, the allegation was not reported as required. The resident involved was cognitively intact, as indicated by a recent BIMS score. Staff did not interview the resident about the incident due to instructions from the family member, who was the activated power of attorney, that staff could not speak to the resident without her present. No interventions or plans were implemented to ensure the resident's safety or to prevent further abuse, and the facility did not report the allegation to the appropriate agencies as mandated by policy and regulation.