Failure to Report Verbal Abuse Allegation to State Agency
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report an allegation of verbal abuse to the state agency as required by its abuse, neglect and exploitation policy. Resident #65, who had diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, obesity, tremor, need for assistance with personal care, and Parkinsonism, was admitted on 07/23/25 and discharged on 03/02/26, with a quarterly MDS dated 01/28/26 indicating intact cognition. The resident’s care plan, initiated 07/29/25 and revised 08/12/25, documented that the resident elected to have video monitoring in his room. Review of the resident’s progress notes from 12/01/25 through 12/22/25 showed no documentation of verbal abuse by staff. Review of LPN #221’s personnel file on 03/26/26 revealed a Corrective Action Report (CAR) signed 01/01/26 for incidents on 12/01/25 and 12/22/25, citing violations of rules of conduct and behavior. The CAR documented that on 12/01/25, LPN #221 was observed on video shouting at the resident and using foul or cursing language, and that on 12/22/25 a family member submitted a written concern regarding the LPN’s behavior toward them. The CAR described this behavior as disrespectful, abusive, and unprofessional. The Interim DON confirmed that the described behavior met criteria for a self-reportable incident. The Human Resources Director confirmed that Resident #65 was the resident involved. The Administrator later confirmed that the incident was not reported to the state agency, despite the facility’s policy requiring immediate reporting, but no later than two hours after an allegation of abuse is made. This deficiency was identified incidentally during a complaint survey completed on 03/26/26.
