Finding Description
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, record review, and interviews conducted during an abbreviated survey (NY00359953), the facility did not ensure that each resident received adequate supervision to prevent an elopement. This was evident for one (1) out of two (2) residents (Resident #1) sampled for elopement. Specifically, the facility Elopement Incident Timeline dated 11/08/2024 documented that the surveillance video footage showed at 2:46 PM on 11/07/2024 Resident #1 exited the facility grounds. Resident #1 was wearing a wander guard on their left ankle at the time they left the facility, and the wander guard alarm system did not activate. Facility staff became aware between 3:20 PM and 3:58 PM that Resident #1 was missing from the facility. Resident #1 was located by a facility staff at 10:45 PM on 11/07/2024 walking towards their home. Resident #1 had no injury but was transferred to the hospital on [DATE] at 12:18 AM for evaluation. The findings include:The facility's Policy and Procedure titled Resident Elopement Prevention revised 09/2024 documented that it is the policy of the facility to provide residents with a safe and secure environment and protected from harm. The facility will make every possible effort to identify residents who have the potential for elopement. If a resident is found missing, the facility will ensure immediate implementation of missing resident search procedures.The facility's Policy and Procedure titled Front Desk effective dated 10/2023 documented the purpose is to ensure the safety and security of all residents, staff, and visitors by enforcing standardized protocols at the facility's front desk. This includes proper sign-in procedures, verification of authorized visitors, and monitoring of residents with [NAME] guard alerts. The Reception/Security watch for residents on the list approaching the exit unescorted. Resident #1 was admitted to the facility with diagnoses including Alcohol abuse, Hypertension, and Dementia.The Minimum Data Set (an assessment tool) dated 10/17/2024 documented Resident #1 had a Brief Interview of Mental Status (used to determine attention, orientation, and ability to recall information) score of 8 associated with moderately impaired cognition. Resident #1 ambulates independently.An Elopement Risk assessment dated [DATE] documented that Resident #1 was identified at risk for elopement due to Resident #1 verbalizing that they want to leave the facility and wandering behavior.An Elopement Care Plan dated 10/12/2024 documented that Resident #1 was unaware of safety needs and had a history of wandering behavior in the community. A wander guard was placed on Resident #1's left ankle.There was no documented evidence of a monitoring sheet for Resident #1.A nursing progress note dated 11/07/2024 at 8:52 PM by Registered Nursing #1, documented that Resident #1's adult child visited at 3:20 PM and Resident #1 was not in their room. A nursing progress note dated 11/07/2024 at 10:56 PM by Registered Nursing #2, documented that they heard Code Orange alarmed at 3:58 PM due to Resident #1 being missing from the third floor and could not be found. 911 and the Director of Nursing was notified. Resident #1 was later found in the street and was brought back to facility. Resident #1 was transferred to hospital for evaluation. An Elopement Incident Timeline dated 11/08/2024 documented at 3:20 PM Resident #1's adult child arrived at the facility and Resident #1 was not in their room. The staff were notified and immediately searched the building. At approximately 3:20 PM to 3:58 PM the search continued to common areas where Resident #1 frequently goes. At approximately 3:58 PM, the elopement protocol was formally activated. The police were notified, and local transportation were contacted to aid in the search. At approximately 4:00 PM a headcount was completed for all residents. At approximately 4:20 PM the surveillance footage reviewed and confirmed that Resident #1 exited the facility at 2:46 PM. At approximately 4:40 PM, the Department of Health was notified. At approximately 5:50 PM, it was discovered that the entrance door alarm was malfunctioning. At approximately 10:45 PM, Resident #1 was found approximately 10 minutes from their home by facility staff. At approximately 11:13 PM, Resident #1 was returned to facility and was assessed with no injuries or medical concern. The family were notified and requested the resident be transferred to the hospital for further evaluation. The Medical Doctor was notified. The Investigation Summary dated 11/08/2024 documented based on the facility's investigation, Resident #1 had eloped. During an interview on 07/16/2025 at 1:33 PM, Certified Nursing Assistant #1 stated that Resident #1 was assigned to them on 11/07/2024 from 7:00 AM to 3:00 PM. Certified Nursing Assistant #1 stated that Resident #1 had a wander guard on their left ankle and was being monitored on the unit. Certified Nursing Assistant #1 stated that they do not have a monitoring log - they just visually check on Resident #1 because the resident was at risk for elopement and was wearing a wander guard. Certified Nursing Assistant #1 stated that Resident #1 did not verbalize wanting to leave the facility and did not exhibit any unusual behavior on 11/07/2024. Certified Nursing Assistant #1 stated that after lunch (lunch is between 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM) Resident #1 went to the day room to watch television (unsure of time) but was in their room at 2:00 PM when they made rounds. Certified Nursing Assistant #1 stated that they did not hear any activated alarms on the unit including the elevator wander guard alarm. During a telephone interview on 07/22/2025 at 11:59 AM, Registered Nurse #1 stated that they worked on 11/07/2024 on the 7:30 AM-3:30 PM shift. Registered Nurse #1 stated Resident #1 had a wander guard in place on their left ankle. Registered Nurse #1 stated prior to their break time (unsure of time), they checked on Resident #1 and they were in their room at approximately 2:00 PM standing next to their bed moving their overbed table. Registered Nurse #1 stated that Resident #1 was calm and did not exhibit any exit seeking behavior. Registered Nurse #1 stated that when they returned from their break (unsure of time) the Orange Alert protocol (missing resident) was in progress, and they assisted with searching for Resident #1 who was not located. Registered Nurse #1 stated that they are responsible for checking wander guard placements every shift and that the nursing supervisor checks for the wander guard functionality daily at bedtime. Registered Nurse #1 stated that they frequently perform rounds at least hourly and visually check Resident #1. Registered Nurse #1 stated that they were still trying to ascertain how Resident #1 exited the unit without activating an alarm. The previous Director of Nursing who investigated the incident is no longer employed at the facility and whereabouts were unknown.The facility did not have a statement from Security Guard #1 on 11/07/2024.During a telephone interview on 07/22/2025 at 12:11 PM, Registered Nurse Manager #1 stated that they are no longer employed at the facility. Registered Nurse Manager #1 stated Resident #1 was ambulatory and walked around the unit independently. Registered Nurse Manager #1 stated that Resident #1 only goes downstairs when they are escorted by a staff. Registered Nurse Manager #1 stated that Resident #1 had no exit seeking behavior on 11/07/2024. Registered Nurse Manager #1 stated as per their statement they were informed (unsure of staff name) that Resident #1 was missing at 3:20 PM when Resident #1's adult child went to visit with the resident in their room. Registered Nurse Manager #1 stated they searched for the resident, Orange Alert was activated and 911 was called. During an interview on 07/16/2025 at 1:45 PM, the Assistant Director of Nursing stated that they were in the facility on 11/07/2024 at the time of the elopement and Orange Alert was activated at 3:58 PM after a head count was done on the unit and Resident #1 was confirmed missing. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated if Resident #1 had entered the elevator, the elevator wander guard alarm would have been activated, and would need to deactivate by a staff for the elevator to move. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that they are not sure how Resident #1 left the unit unsupervised. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated there were no reports of the wander guard not functioning. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated only the staff members have access to code to deactivate the alarms. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that they participated in the search for Resident #1 who was found at 10:45 PM walking in the direction of their home. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated Resident #1 was interviewed and stated that they wanted to go home to meet their landlord. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that they brought Resident #1 back to the facility and an assessment was conducted. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that Resident #1 had no visible injuries, did not complain of pain, was stable, and in good spirit. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that when Resident #1 was located on street, the resident was wearing their wander guard on their left ankle. The wander guard was tested when the resident was brought back to the facility, and it was functioning. The Assistant Director of Nursing stated that Resident #1 was transferred to the hospital for further evaluation as per the family request. During an interview on 07/17/2025 at 2:25 PM, the Administrator stated that they were made aware of the elopement at 3:58 PM on 11/07/2024 and the Orange Alert protocol was initiated. The Administrator stated that they reviewed the video footage at 4:20 PM and saw that Resident #1 exited the facility on 11/07/2024 at 2:46 PM unsupervised wearing a gray [NAME] Kelin T-shirt and blue jeans. The Administrator stated that they contacted the police at 4:00 PM and visited all local hospitals, parks close to the facility and called Resident #1's home. The Administrator stated that all the surrounding blocks were checked, and a vehicle grid search was coordinated and launched to cover a wider Bronx area from facility to Resident #1's home. The Administrator stated that Resident #1 was found walking in the street at 10:45 PM and was brought back to the facility. The Administrator stated that Security Guard #1 was terminated immediately and reported to their agency. The Administrator stated they discovered that the front entrance door alarm system had malfunctioned. The Administrator stated that they had contacted the wander guard company for immediate service on 11/07/2024. The Administrator stated all other facility exit doors were inspected and was found to be in good working condition. The Administrator stated to prevent a recurrence a temporary monitoring desk was placed near the front entrance to enhanced visibility to prevent further unauthorized exits. The Administrator stated that the facility has had no further elopement.Based on the following corrective actions taken, there were sufficient credible evidence that the facility corrected the noncompliance and was in substantial compliance for this specific regulatory requirement. The facility noncompliance was corrected on 12/09/2024. A Plan of Correction is not required for this citation.The facility implemented the following corrective action prior to surveyor entrance on 07/16/2025. The facility's Director of Nursing and Administrator investigated the elopement incident, and the team concluded that Resident #1 left the facility without an escorted. The facility developed an action plan which includes the following: On 11/07/2024 at 4:00 PM, the New York Police Department was called and responded at 4:20 PM and was given Resident #1's information and a photograph. An Elopement Care Plan was updated 11/07/2024 to reflect the actual elopement incident. On 11/07/2024, Security Guard #1 was terminated from the facility. Wander Guard/Door Alarm Audit was done on 11/07/2024 - the front door wander guard sensor was malfunctioning. Total Kare Company service was called and service ticket initiated. Weekly Wander Guard/Door Alarm Audit was done on 11/07/2024 through 06/30/2025. On 11/07/2024 the facility immediately put a temporary desk closer to the front exit door located in the lobby for closer supervision pending permanent solution. Policy and Procedure for Front Desk dated 10/2023 was revised on 11/07/2024 to include a memo that all staff must always wear a badge when in the facility and show it to security upon entry and exiting of the building, all visitors and vendors needs a sticker with name and date. Anyone who exits the building needs to have a badge or sticker, if not, someone from administration or the nursing supervisor needs to confirm they are not a resident. Policy and Procedure on Resident Elopement Prevention revised 09/2024 reviewed with no revision. On 11/07/2024-11/08/2024, the facility in-serviced all staff members from all departments. Lesson Plan: Elopement Prevention and Response. On 11/08/2024 visitor passes were initiated. On 11/10/2024 the Crowd Control Stanchions (barriers) were installed to limit movement going outside. Wander Guard Function Audit tool dated 11/10/2024 was put in place to monitor compliance with residents at risk for elopement/wandering. On 11/11/2024 and 12/19/2024, a Quality Assurance meeting was held with department heads. Attendance sheets noted. On 11/16/2024 the Security desk was built and installed near the front door. Elopement Drills were done on 11/26/2024, 12/19/2024, 01/14/2025, 04/10/2025 with staff members. On 12/09/2024 the wander guard device alarm system located on the front door was completely fixed. 10NYCRR415.12(h)(2)