Failure to Thoroughly Investigate Allegation of Missing Resident Funds
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to thoroughly investigate an allegation of misappropriation of a resident’s money. The resident had a diagnosis of cognitive communication deficit and reported missing $44, which she stated had been in a pink bag in her purse and which she intended to use to buy pants. The grievance log documented that the resident reported missing money, and a grievance form was completed. The Social Services Clerk assisted the resident in searching her drawers and documented that the resident later stated she was not missing money and might have given it to her children. The Administrator’s investigation note reflected that the resident told her she was not missing money, that she gives money to her children, and that she buys items from vending machines. The Business Office Manager confirmed the resident had withdrawn $100 several days earlier and that the resident frequently buys snacks from vending machines and had planned for her daughter to buy clothes with the withdrawn funds. Despite these reports, the facility did not conduct a comprehensive investigation into the allegation of missing money. The Social Services Clerk did not contact the resident’s children or notify law enforcement. The Administrator did not determine which staff member initially received the report of missing money, did not clarify how long the money had been missing, and did not interview nursing staff, CNAs, or activities staff to determine whether anyone had information about the missing funds or whether the resident had given money to staff to purchase items. The Administrator also did not review camera footage. The resident’s daughter later reported that the resident had called her about missing $44, that she had not received any money from the resident, and that facility staff had not notified her of the missing money or asked if the resident had given her money. After the resident told the Administrator and Social Services Clerk that she was not missing money, no further investigative steps were taken, resulting in an incomplete investigation of the misappropriation allegation.
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