Required Ombudsman and State Agency Contact Information Not Accessible to Residents
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to post the required list of names, mailing and email addresses, and telephone numbers for the State Survey Agency, State licensure office, and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in a location accessible to all residents. During an observation of the third floor, this information was found posted behind the concierge’s desk on the wall, an area where residents are not allowed. No other signage with the required information was posted on the third floor. Concierge #2 stated that residents are not permitted behind the desk, that the door to the dining room behind the desk is kept locked so residents cannot go behind the desk, and that residents must ask for the information and phone numbers if they need them. Concierge #2 also reported that in five years of employment, no resident had requested this information. During a Resident Council meeting, all 10 residents present were unable to identify where the required information was located and were unaware that they had the right to file a complaint with the State licensure office or the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. After the meeting, the Activities Director took two residents in wheelchairs to view the Ombudsman information; they were positioned in front of the concierge’s desk while the Activities Director pointed to the sign behind the desk and explained its contents. From their position, the two residents were unable to see the information on the signage. The Activities Director stated there was another copy of the information outside her office on the second floor for assisted living residents. The Administrator later stated that the Activities Director hands out cards with Ombudsman information from time to time and that the Ombudsman conducts rounds in the facility.
