Failure to Investigate Allegation of Misappropriated Jewelry
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to investigate an allegation of misappropriation of a resident’s personal property in accordance with its own abuse, neglect, and misappropriation policy. Resident #3, who had multiple medical conditions including COPD, lung cancer, hemiplegia, dementia, chronic respiratory failure, and was on hospice services, was assessed as cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 14/15. After being moved to a different room on Unit 2, the resident reported that two gold rings, one with a purple stone and one with a green stone, were missing. The resident stated she reported the missing rings to the Administrator on the day of the room change. An anonymous complaint later alleged that several items, including an antique amethyst birthstone ring and another gold ring with a green stone, were missing after the room change, and that the Administrator refused to replace the items or reach an amicable solution. The Ombudsman’s volunteer reported the concern about the missing rings to the Unit Manager, who believed the facility was already aware. The Administrator initially stated he was not aware of concerns regarding missing jewelry, but later confirmed that the resident had reported missing rings a few days after the room change. He acknowledged he did not complete a concern/grievance form and stated he was not convinced the resident had the rings because she could not provide details. The Social Worker reported she searched the resident’s room and spoke to staff but had no documentation to show an investigation was completed, and neither the Administrator nor the Social Worker contacted the resident’s family to confirm the presence of the rings at the facility. Review of the facility’s misappropriation policy showed that each occurrence of misappropriation was to be reported, investigated timely, with statements obtained, documentation in the medical record, and a formal investigation report completed and submitted to the state, none of which were documented for this allegation.
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