Failure to Provide Social Services After Abuse Allegations
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide medically-related social services to four out of six sampled residents by not ensuring the Social Services Director (SSD) assessed the residents' psychosocial well-being after incidents involving physical and/or verbal abuse allegations. Specifically, after one resident alleged being hit by another and law enforcement was called, there was no documented follow-up or assessment by the SSD for either resident involved. In another incident, two residents exchanged verbal abuse in the activity room, witnessed by staff, but again, there was no documented psychosocial assessment or intervention by the SSD for those involved. Additionally, a resident reported being hit on the wrist by a roommate and stated that the SSD did not come to speak with him about his feelings, despite expressing a desire for such support. Interviews with the SSD confirmed that follow-up was not conducted with several residents involved in these incidents, and in one case, although the SSD claimed to have followed up with a resident, there was no documentation of these interactions. The facility's own policies and job descriptions require the SSD to address and document the psychosocial needs of residents, particularly following abuse allegations. The lack of timely and documented follow-up by the SSD after abuse allegations meant that the psychosocial needs of the affected residents were not assessed or addressed as required. This failure was acknowledged by both the SSD and the facility's nurse consultant, who stated that such follow-up is necessary to identify and meet residents' psychosocial needs. The omission was contrary to facility policy and the expectations outlined in the social worker's job description.