complaint·August 24, 2021

INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: Allegation: Resident sustained a death while in care The complainant states (R1) died from neglect while in care of facility staff. IB Investigator Robert Kujawa reviewed records, interviewed staff and witnesses. and found that R1 did not sustain a death while in care of facility staff. Facility notes show that R1 contracted covid-19 and was transferred to a rehab facility. Upon R1’s return, several notes outline that resident was monitored for temperature, oxygen, body weakness and eating habits. Facility reached out to R1’s authorized representative regarding their medical condition and need for medical follow-up. R1 was hospitalized upon doctors’ orders and per facility notes R1 passed from covid-19 related pneumonia and had been out of the facilities care for 19 days at the time of their passing. IB Investigator Kujawa did not find any evidence of neglect in the residents’ care. Based on information gathered, the Department did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. Allegation: Staff do not properly maintain a resident's room while in care The complainant reported that human waste was seen in bathroom of R2. IB Investigator Robert Kujawa spoke with R2 on 6/8/2021. Per R2, there has been no human waste on the floor of room. On 8/24/2021 LPA Cifuentes toured facility grounds and did not see or smell any human waste in residents’ rooms. On 8/24/2021 LPA Cifuentes spoke with residents R4-R8 and asked how often rooms were cleaned and if staff were properly maintaining their rooms. 5 out of 5 residents interviewed agreed that staff cleaned their rooms once per week and rooms were properly maintained. On 8/24/2021 LPA Cifuentes interviewed staff (S1-S5) regarding maintenance of resident’s rooms. 5 out of 5 staff stated rooms are cleaned minimum once per week and that residents’ rooms are properly maintained. Based on information gathered, the Department did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. Continued on 9099-C Allegation: Staff is not properly assisting the residents while in care The complainant reports staff members are lazy and do not take good care of the residents. IB investigator Kujawa spoke with R2 on 6/8/2021, who stated they felt they get the care they need. On 8/24/2021 LPA Cifuentes spoke with residents R4-R8 about the assistance they received from facility staff. 4 out of the 5 interviewed residents stated they felt staff are properly assisting them. On 8/24/2021 LPA Cifuentes spoke with staff (S1-S5) regarding assistance to residents. Alld 5 staff felt they were properly assisting residents. Based on information gathered, the Department did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. Allegation: Residents are being mistreated while in care The complainant reported overhearing R3 state that staff are mean to them. Per report by IB investigator Kujawa, no evidence was found through records or interviews of neglect of residents in care. On 8/24/2021 LPA Cifuentes interviewed residents R4-R8 and asked if staff were polite or if they mistreated them. 5 out of 5 resident stated staff are polite and did not feel they were being mistreated by staff. LPA Cifuentes interviewed staff on 8/24/2021 regarding politeness to residents and whether or not they felt residents were being mistreated. 5 out of 5 staff stated they were polite to residents an Based on information gathered, the Department did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. The Department’s investigation consisted of an inspection of the facility, observation, analysis of residents records, incident report, and interviews conducted and found no evidence to support the allegations: “ Resident sustained a death while in care”, ”Staff do not properly maintain a resident's room while in care”, “Staff is not properly assisting the residents while in care”, “Residents are being mistreated while in care”. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations, did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are Unsubstantiated . An exit interview was conducted with Tom Rekowski and a copy of the report was provided by email.