Finding Description
Based on clinical record review, facility investigation review, staff interviews and policy review the facility failed to report a reportable event to the appropriate facility staff members after the alleged event took place. Which lead to the facility failing to report to the State Agency within 2 hours of the alleged event. The facility reported a census of 52 residents.Findings include:According to the Annual Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment tool, with a reference date of 5/8/2025, Resident #1 had a Brief Interview of Mental Status (BIMS) score of 2. A BIMS score of 2 suggested severe cognitive impairment. The MDS documented she experienced hallucinations, delusions, displayed physical and verbal behavioral symptoms for 1-3 days during the 7-day review period. Resident #1 did not exhibit rejection of evaluation or care and did not wander. Resident #1 utilized a wheelchair for mobility and was always incontinent of urine and bowel. She was dependent of staff for eating, oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, shower/bathing, personal hygiene, toilet transfers. The MDS indicated Resident #1 received the following medications during the 7-day review period: antianxiety, antidepressant, and an opioid. The following diagnoses were listed for Resident #1: stroke, coronary artery disease, thyroid disease, Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, glaucoma, insomnia, and cellulitis.The Care Plan focus area with an initiation date of 5/20/2024 documented she was dependent on staff for meeting emotional, intellectual, physical, spiritual and social needs related to physical limitations.A second Care Plan focus area with an initiation date of 5/22/2024 documented Resident #1 had an Activities of Daily Living (ADL) self-care performance deficit related to stroke, anxiety, macular degeneration. The Care Plan documented she did not ambulate, utilized a wheelchair for locomotion, and was dependent on staff for mobility. She was dependent on staff to make significant position changes while in bed; she required the assistance of tow staff with bed mobility. She was also totally dependent on two staff for toilet hygiene and incontinence management. The Care Plan directed staff to check and change her in the morning, before and after meals, before bed and as needed. Resident #1 did not use the toilet, she was incontinent. Staff are to encourage the resident to participate to the fullest extent possible with each interaction.A third Care Plan focus area with an initiation date of 5/28/2024 documented Resident #1 had impaired cognitive function/dementia or impaired thought processes related to short term memory loss.A fourth Care Plan focus area with an initiation date of 6/10/2024 and revision date of 6/9/2025 documented Resident #1 had alteration in her mood and behaviors as evidenced by yelling out to staff, disrobing, confusion (not knowing where she is) and worried/anxious feelings related to stroke and anxiety, cursing, grabbing, hitting and spitting at staff during cares. On 6/3/2025 resident made a comment about wanting someone to shoot her. Resident was sent to the emergency room (ER) to make sure she was not a danger to herself. She was sent back after being evaluated and determined she was not a danger to herself. Staff were directed to provide an opportunity for positive interaction, attention and to stop and talk with her as they pass by her. Staff were also encouraged to provide redirection to resident when using foul language. Staff are to use a clam approach, tell her what is being done prior to providing cares. If the resident is punching and hitting staff during cares, staff are to monitor for agitation and if save, step back to allow her to calm down. The nurse is to be updated to assess her if she's in pain and give an as needed (PRN) pain medication. Staff are encouraged to talk through what is bothering the resident. Staff are to introduce themselves, speak slowly and clearly so that the resident understands staff when providing cares/speaking with resident.A fifth Care Plan focus area with an initiation date of 5/12/2025 documented Resident #1 had delirium or an acute confusion episode related to acute disease process, dementia. Staff are to redirect and provide gentle reality orientation as required.The facility investigative file contained the following summary:On 7/9/2025 at approximately 4:30 PM the Director of Nursing (DON) was notified by the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) that on 7/6/2025 Staff A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) witnessed Staff B CNA forcefully grab Resident #1's arm and push it down then stated stop hitting me while completing cares on Resident #1. Staff A stated she immediately reported the incident to Staff C Registered Nurse (RN), the charge nurse. The facility was unable to review the incident with the resident due to a BIMS score of 2. The DON notified the Administrator after the incident was reported to her on 7/9/2025. Staff B was immediately suspended pending the investigation. During the investigation, initially it was reported the incident happened on 7/6/2025. Follow up with Staff A, she stated it did not happen on 7/6/2025 it happened on 7/2/2025. Facility staff were all educated on what abuse is, the different kinds of abuse and how to properly report abuse.The facility investigative file included the following statement from Staff A:On Sunday 7/6/2025 we were laying Resident #1 down after dinner. She was being combative and attempting to hit us. While doing so, Staff B grabbed her arm, forced it down and said stop hitting me b*tch. I finished cares and went to report it to my charge nurse, Staff C.On 8/5/2025 at 12:09 PM Staff A stated on Wednesday, July 2nd her and Staff B completed cares on Resident #1. The resident was being very combative but barely hits when she does. Staff A was on the right side of the resident and Staff B was on the left side of the resident. Resident #1 was doing her normal stuff by calling them fat and telling them to get out of her room. Resident #1 swung at Staff B and Staff B grabbed her left forearm/wrist and said don't hit me b*tch. After cares were completed, they left the room and she told Staff B that as not acceptable, we should not be acting like that; Staff B just rolled her eyes. Staff A reported this incident to her charge nurse, Staff C. Staff A stated she had not heard anything about the incident for a few days so she went the ADON and DON about what had happened. They both told her neither of them knew about the incident. She stated her statement does say the 6th but it happened on the 2nd. She indicated since this took place they facility has educated staff on what types of abuse, how to report it and who to report it to.On 8/5/2025 at 2:20 PM Staff C stated Staff A reported to her another aide, Staff B had called Resident #1 a name because she was trying to hit her. Staff A reported that aide stopped the resident from hitting her by holding her arm then called her a b*tch. The other aide was Staff B. It happened about 7:00 PM, after dinner as they were assisting residents. Staff C stated Staff A came up to her said she has had it and went to break. When she returned from her break, that's when Staff C stated Staff A reported the incident to her. She stated it was about 7:30 PM because Staff A usually took her break after dinner. When asked what she did after this alleged incident was reported to her, she indicated she was dealing with another conflict and asked Staff A to report her concerns to the Administrator and through she did, but apparently, she did not. When asked why she did not tell the Administrator herself, she stated she went and took care of a different situation, honestly it slipped her mind and did not doing anything about it. After this incident Staff C stated they facility provided education to all staff on the policies and procedures if this kind of incident should happen again, who to call with abuse concerns and what abuse it.On 8/5/2025 at 2:34 PM the ADON stated Staff A came to her office on the 7th and stated she needed to talk to her about something. Staff A said her and Staff B were in Resident #1's room assisting her with cares when Staff B called the resident a b*tch. The ADON questioned if she reported this and why was this the first time she was hearing this. Staff A told her after she left Resident #1's room that day she reported this to her charge nurse, Staff C. They went to the DON with the information. The ADON stated they should have called her, the DON and/or the Administrator so they were not hearing it after the fact.On 8/5/2025 at 2:59 PM the DON stated the alleged event took place on Wednesday the 2nd. The dates got mixed up during the investigation process. The incident was reported to Staff C on the same day of the incident, the 2nd. When they spoke to Staff A she reported Staff C told her to go tell someone, but Staff A indicated you are the charge nurse, I am supposed to report these things to you. They later found out Staff A reported alleged incident to Staff C after she went on break; because Staff A was upset she needed to take a break. When she spoke to Staff C, she indicated she told Staff A she needed to tell someone. The DON informed her that someone was you, you are the charge nurse. Staff C was to make sure the resident was safe then contact the DON or the Administrator. The DON added, as a charge nurse, this is part of her job. Staff C was educated on proper reporting procedures.The facility provided a document titled Identifying Types of Abuse, with a revision date of September 2022. The policy statement included: as part of the abuse prevention strategy, volunteers, employees, and contractors hired by this facility are expected to be able to identify the different types of abuse that may occur against residents.The facility also provided a document titled Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation and Misappropriation-reporting and investigating with a revision date of September 2022. The policy statement included all reports of resident abuse (including injuries of unknown origin), neglect, exploitation, or theft/misappropriation of resident property are reported to local, state, and federal agencies (as required by current regulations) and thoroughly investigated by facility management. Findings of all investigations are documented and reported.Reporting Allegations to the Administrator and Authorities:1. If resident abuse, neglect, exploitation, misappropriation of resident property or injury of unknown source is suspected, the suspicion must be reported immediately to the Administrator and to other officials according to state laws.2. The Administrator or the individual making the allegations immediately reports his or her suspicion to the following persons or agencies:a) The state licensing/certification agency responsible for surveying/licensing the facility3. Immediately is defined as:a) Within two hours of an allegation involving abuse or result in serious bodily injury; orb) Within 24 hours of an allegation that does not involve abuse or result in serious bodily injury.