Failure to Timely Report Alleged Misappropriation of Resident Funds
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow its abuse and misappropriation reporting policies when an allegation of misappropriation of a resident’s money was made. A concern form documented that a resident’s daughter reported to staff that an activities aide had taken money from the resident, stating that the aide was supposed to use the funds to purchase a phone for the resident but instead used the money for her own daughter’s birthday. The amount reported taken was between $135 and $143. The resident and her daughter were described as very upset by the incident. The facility’s abuse policy required that any allegation of abuse, including misappropriation of resident property, be immediately reported to a supervisor, the Abuse Prevention Coordinator, the Administrator, and to the State Survey Agency within specified time frames. The Nursing Home Administrator stated in an interview that any abuse, including misappropriation, should have been reported immediately and acknowledged that the allegation was reported to staff on one date but not reported to the State Agency until several days later, when she was notified. This delay in reporting the allegation of misappropriation to the proper authorities constituted the failure to follow facility policy and procedures and led to the cited deficiency.
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