Failure to Return Resident’s Personal Identification and Financial Cards Upon Request
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to honor a resident’s rights to dignity, self-determination, and access to personal property by not returning requested identification and financial cards. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder, and hemiplegia affecting the left non-dominant side. Her admission MDS showed a BIMS score of 15/15, indicating no cognitive impairment, and she required substantial to maximum assistance with ADLs in bed and was dependent for toileting. Her care plan noted impaired cognition with risk of further decline, with goals that her needs be met timely and dignity maintained. During an interview, the resident reported that upon admission she gave her identification and Social Security card to front office staff, and that staff also had her bank card. She stated she had requested her bank card the prior week so she could make a payment on belongings in storage, but staff had not returned it despite saying they would. The BOM acknowledged having the resident’s debit card, explaining that it was initially locked in the medication cart and then placed in the safe with the resident’s agreement. The BOM stated the resident requested the debit card the previous week, but it was not returned because the BOM was busy with end-of-month tasks and was concerned it might be lost or taken; the BOM had not offered the resident a locked box option and did not know the resident’s specific financial needs. Separately, the ADON reported she had the resident’s keys and wallet containing her ID, Social Security, and VA cards locked in a filing cabinet in her office, and stated she had not thought about them until discussing the situation with the BOM. The ADON acknowledged she should have asked the resident what she wanted done with these items and recognized the resident’s right to receive her personal belongings upon request. The DON confirmed learning that the resident had asked staff for her debit card, ID, and Social Security card and stated staff should have provided these personal items upon request rather than delaying for a week, and that withholding them violated the facility’s resident rights policy, which affirms residents’ rights to a dignified existence, self-determination, and freedom from interference in exercising their rights.
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