F0689

J

Elopement of Cognitively Impaired Resident Due to Inadequate Supervision and Door Security

Manahawkin, New Jersey Survey Completed on 01-05-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a safe environment and adequate supervision to prevent the elopement of a resident with poor decision-making abilities. The resident had multiple diagnoses, including schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder with psychotic features, muscle weakness, difficulty walking, and cognitive deficits with confusion. An Elopement Risk Review earlier in the year had assessed the resident as low or no risk for elopement, and no additional elopement risk assessments were documented between that time and the date of the incident. The resident’s care plan identified a self-care deficit related to cognitive deficits and confusion, and a separate focus that the resident was at risk for falls, accidents, and incidents, but there were no documented care plan interventions specifically addressing elopement risk prior to the incident.

On the night of the incident, staff accounts and documentation showed that the resident was last observed inside the facility around 1:00 AM by an LPN and again around 1:30–1:45 AM by a CNA, who reported that the resident was walking around the facility, which was described as usual behavior. The resident later reported that they exited the facility by watching staff enter a code into a keypad at an exit door and then waiting for the door’s locking mechanism light to turn green before going through the door. The Nursing Supervisor on duty stated that the front door lock did not lock immediately upon closing and that it was possible for someone to get out when the door was in that condition. The resident stated that they were only allowed to leave with family, yet left the building alone wearing pajamas, rubber clog-style shoes, no coat, and without their cane.

External documentation from the police incident report indicated that a caller observed an elderly person in pajama pants and no jacket on the side of the roadway, identified by first name and an identification bracelet. The caller transported the resident to a convenience store, gave them money, and then left. Police then picked up the resident from the store and returned them to the facility around 2:00–2:08 AM. Facility documentation, including the Facility Reportable Event and progress notes, confirmed that staff were unaware the resident had left until police returned the resident and reported finding them at the convenience store. Interviews with the Unit Manager and DON confirmed that such an unsupervised departure met the facility’s definition of elopement and that the resident was not considered safe to go out independently. The surveyors determined that the facility failed to provide adequate supervision, failed to develop appropriate interventions to prevent elopement for this resident, and failed to follow its elopement and wandering policy, resulting in an Immediate Jeopardy situation under F689.

The facility’s elopement and wandering policy stated that residents at risk for elopement would receive adequate supervision to prevent accidents and care according to individualized care plans, and that the facility would use a systematic approach to identify and assess elopement risk. However, the record showed only one Elopement Risk Review earlier in the year, with no subsequent reassessments until after the elopement occurred. The DON described that, following an elopement, the expectation was for assessment, completion of a risk management form, collection of staff statements, and notification of family and physician to support a thorough investigation and root cause analysis. At the time of the survey, only limited staff statements were available, and the survey findings concluded that the facility did not adequately implement its own policy or maintain sufficient supervision and environmental controls to prevent the resident’s unauthorized exit.

Removal Plan

• Safely returned Resident #2 to the facility and placed on one-to-one supervision.
• Applied a wander guard for Resident #2 and verified its functionality, placed the resident on enhanced supervision, and moved the resident to a room closer to the nurse's station.
• Updated Resident #2's care plan.
• Reassessed Resident #2 for elopement risk.
• Conducted a facility headcount.
• Inspected facility exit doors, keypads, alarms, and the wander guard system to validate proper functioning.
• Updated the facility's front door to eliminate delay in opening and closing.
• Reviewed the facility elopement policy.
• Re-educated facility-wide staff on elopement prevention and emergency protocols and validated competency.
• Completed reassessments of at-risk residents.