complaint·October 19, 2021

(...Continued from LIC 9099...) During the course of the investigation, LPA was unable to determine R2’s identity through staff and resident interviews. Also, R1 no longer resides at the facility and S1 no longer works at this facility, both were unreachable for interviewing. Additionally, LPA Guzman Chavez conducted interviews with North Los Angeles County Regional Center (NLACRC) on 08/30/2021 at 11:24am. Pertinent documentation was also obtained and reviewed during the course of the investigation. It was alleged that on 04/28/2020, staff hit a resident while in care. It was reported that on 04/28/2020, at approximately 4:30am, there was an incident that occurred between Resident #1 (R1) and Resident #2 (R2) at the facility. Staff #1 (S1) intervened as R1 went into the other residents’ room and started to record the two residents. R1 became upset at S1 and slapped S1 who in return slapped R1. Interview with the Administrator revealed that on 04/28/2020, there had been no physical altercation, however, there was a verbal altercation between R1 and S1. Interview with NLACRC representative revealed that there was no incident report submitted regarding alleged incident involving R1 and S1. Additionally, interviews with residents revealed that they have not witnessed any facility staff become physical with any resident. Nor have they heard another resident complain about being mistreated by staff. Based on interviews and documentation gathered, it has been determined that the Department does not have sufficient information to determine that the staff hit the resident; therefore, the allegation “staff hit resident while in care” is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time. It was further alleged that residents are not afforded privacy while in care due to staff coming into residents’ room without notifying the residents and recording the residents. Interviews with residents revealed that they are able to lock their doors at any time and staff knocks on the resident’s door before entering at any time. Furthermore, staff only come into residents’ room when they are conducting wellness checks throughout the facility or when doing housekeeping. When asked if they felt they had enough privacy while in their rooms, interviews with residents revealed that they feel they have privacy while in their rooms and, no one has ever recorded them without their consent. Interviews with staff revealed that the protocol for entering a resident’s bedroom at any time is knocking first, wait for a few seconds for a response, and then walk in. Based on interviews and the information obtained, it has been determined that the Department does not have sufficient information to determine residents are not afforded privacy. Therefore, the above allegation “Resident is not afforded privacy while in care” is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time. Exit interview conducted. No citations issued. Copy of report sent via email.