Inappropriate Purchase of Resident’s Prescribed Glucose Monitoring Device for Staff Training
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to maintain ethical standards of practice and resident rights by engaging in a business transaction with a resident for a prescribed medical device. Resident 1, who had type 2 DM, hypertensive heart disease with heart failure, and difficulty walking, was cognitively intact for daily decision-making and largely independent in ADLs. Resident 1 had an order allowing nursing staff to monitor blood sugar levels using a Brand 1 continuous glucose monitoring device. On 10/13/2025, an untitled facility document, signed by the DON, Resident 1, and LVN 1, indicated that Resident 1 had three Brand 1 devices and that the facility would purchase one device from the resident for $110 for education and training purposes. A petty cash receipt confirmed that the facility paid Resident 1 $110 for the Brand 1 device. During interviews, the DON stated that Resident 1 had offered to sell the Brand 1 device to the facility for training, and she agreed to purchase it with facility funds, later using the purchased device in a staff training session on how to apply the Brand 1 sensor. LVN 1 confirmed witnessing the cash payment to the resident. Resident 1 reported consenting to the sale and signing an agreement with the DON and LVN 1, and stated that at the time he did not know it was a violation. The Business Office Manager stated that paying a resident for a prescribed device was not usual practice, that such items should be obtained through a vendor, and that there was no policy allowing payment to residents for their prescribed devices because it could create an inappropriate business relationship. The Administrator acknowledged the facility purchased the device from the resident for training and to help the resident financially. The facility’s existing policies on Assistive Devices and Equipment and Resident Rights addressed supervision of assistive devices and the requirement to treat residents with kindness, respect, and dignity, but there was no policy regarding purchasing devices from residents.
We Help Long-Term Care Teams Stay Survey-Ready
We process and analyze inspection reports and plan of correction using AI to extract insights and trends so providers can improve care quality and stay ahead of compliance risks.