Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
Allegation:
Facility is not assisting resident with transportation needs
The investigation revealed, per LPA interviews, with (6) staff members, and (6) residents from the Gardena Residential Center, and also review of facility documents, that the facility, does not assist residents with transportation to medical appointments per admission agreement policy. S1 informed the LPA that the facility assists residents with transportation to their medical appointments. S1 also stated that the facility does not have a transportation van, but will assist residents with their medical transportation appointments, if requested, by using Lyft transportation services. S1 informed LPA, that most residents in the facility, handle their own transportation to their medical appointments, and do not ask S1 for assistance; however, if medical transportation is needed, then S1 states that will assist the resident with transportation, to their medical appointment. S1 informed, the LPA that the facility has a company Lyft account, that is used for resident medical appointment transportation trips. The facility will pay for resident transportation medical appointments, up to 5 miles distance from the facility. Also, S1 informed the LPA, that currently, there are only a few residents, that ask for medical transportation assistance, because resident family members, assist residents with transportation to their medical appointments or residents will call Access paratransit services to obtain transportation assistance to their medical appointments. In addition, the LPA interviewed (6) Gardena Retirement Center staff persons and 6 of 6 staff members interviewed, informed the LPA, that most facility residents make their own transportation arrangements, to their medical appointments using Access paratransit services or with family assistance. And also, 3 of 6 staff members, informed the LPA, that the residents pay for their transportation to their medical appointment when they use Access paratransit services or if the facility arranges for Lyft services. Furthermore, the LPA interviewed (6) residents, and 3 of 6 residents interviewed, informed the LPA, that they arrange their own transportation to their Medical appointments, and the other 3 of 6 residents interviewed informed the LPA that they do not have doctor appointments. Also 4 of 6 residents interviewed informed the LPA, that if S1 arranges Lyft services, for transportation to medical appointments, the resident is responsible for paying for the Lyft trip. The other 2 of 6 residents interviewed informed the LPA that they do not know, if the facility, provides transportation assistance for resident medical appointments.
On 1/20/22, at 3pm, LPA reviewed the facility Resident Admission Agreement, and the agreement states on page 3, “In the event that Your family and/or Responsible Party are not able to, the community will make
Report continued on LIC 9099C
arrangements for transportation (within a 5 mile radius) for you in order to meet your necessary medical and/ or dental needs.” Per LPA interviews with facility staff and residents, the facility policy is not being implemented.
Based on information gathered, the LPA did find sufficient evidence to support allegation " Facility is not assisting resident with transportation needs per admission agreement policy”.
Allegation: Facility does not have required postings in public view
The investigation revealed, per LPA observation, that the LPA did not observe, posting of required documents in the facility entry or lobby area. S1 informed the LPA, that S1 had taken down, the facility license, from the lobby hall wall, because the wall was being painted, and that the facility license would be placed, back on the wall, once the wall paint dried. The LPA informed S1, that when there are facility repairs, in the location, of the facility posted license, S1 will need to relocate the documents to another public view location, while the facility repair is taking place. S1 also informed the LPA, that in the past, there have been instances, of the removal of documents, placed on the lobby hall wall, and that, in the future, the facility will be using a glass case, in the lobby hallway, for required posted documents, in order to prevent these incidences from reoccurring. S1 informed the LPA, that video cameras have been re-positioned in the facility lobby hallway, in order to observe, the safety of all required posted documents. LPA informed S1, to please submit incident reports, to the Department of Social Service Community Care Licensing, for all cases of document tampering, and theft, and to immediately replace missing posted documents.
On 1/20/22, at 1:10pm, LPA observed that the facility, did not have facility license, posted in public area. And on 1/20/22, at 1:20pm, S1 placed the license on the facility lobby hallway.
Based on information gathered, LPA did find sufficient evidence to support allegation " Facility does not have required postings in public view ”
Based on LPA observations and interviews which were conducted and record reviews, the preponderance of evidence standard has been met, therefore the above allegations are found to be substantiated. California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 6 and Chapter 8 are being cited on the attached LIC 9099D. An exit interview was conducted with Susana Fuentes, Administrator and a hard copy of a LIC 9099 and LIC 9099D was provided.
