Inspector’s narrative
What the inspector wrote
The Department has investigated the complaint alleging that facility has not provided Power of Attorney (POA) with requested documentation. Per documentation reviews and interviews conducted by LPA, it was found that facility did provide POA with the requested documentation on 1/8/23 and 1/12/23, specifically, regarding the resident’s medication record for November 2022-December 2022. The information was sent via text message, and the medication record for December 2022 was provided in person to the POA, Ombudsman, and faxed to the POA’s preferred doctor. Based on interviews and review of records obtained, we have found that the complaint was UNFOUNDED, meaning that the allegation was false, could not have happened and/or is without a reasonable basis.
The Department has investigated the complaint alleging that facility does not communicate with POA. LPA conducted interviews and documentation reviews and found that facility and POA communicate in person, through verbal conversation, through text messages, and email. LPA also conducted additional interviews with responsible parties of current residents and of residents who have previously lived at the facility, all of which stated that the facility does communicate with the POA either via verbal conversation or via text message. LPA conducted a total of 8 interviews and 6 out of the 8 interviews conducted all reported that facility communicates with POA via verbal conversation, via phone call or text, or email and the 2 remainder of interviews did not corroborate with the allegation due to unavailability, and unable to provide further information regarding this allegation. Based on the interviews conducted and documentation obtained, the Department has found that the complaint is UNFOUNDED, meaning that the allegation was false, could not have happened and/or is without a reasonable basis.
The Department has investigated the complaint alleging that facility is not billing properly. LPA conducted interviews and documentation reviews and found that the facility is in partnership with the Assisted Living Waiver (ALW) Program, of which part of the financial aspect of the resident paying for a facility goes through ALW. On 11/8/22 and 12/15/22, the facility sent a notice that the responsible party is withholding the payment for the month of December 2022 due to feeling as if there was an overcharge. It was verified by the ALW Director on 1/4/23, that the facility had not been overcharging the resident and that the amount the resident has been charged in December 2022, is correct. On 12/23/23, the facility verified with responsible party that the payment amount was correct and on 1/26/23, an itemized list was issued to show for the breakdown of expenses, and in January 2023, the resident still had an unpaid balance that was owed. Per review of the documents provided by the ALW Director, and confirmation that the amount was correct, the responsible party owed a total of $1,365.77 for the month of December. In addition, it was found that in the facility admission agreement, the facility will provide incontinence supplies which would cost and extra $150.00, and upon the resident being admitted to the facility, the responsible party denied incontinence supplies and instead, would provide it to the facility. However, as resident started to progress in condition, and began to need incontinence supplies, the responsible party did not pay for it. It was stated that per facility admission agreement, if a resident needed incontinence supplies, the responsible party had the option to either accept the terms, meaning that the facility will pay for the supplies, of which that fee will be included in the monthly statement, or deny the terms, of which the responsible party will separately pay and supply the facility and resident with the incontinence. On 2/6/23, ALW director verified the amount again and stated that the fees were correct. Per LPA’s review of the signed admission agreement, it was determined that the responsible party denied this portion of the facility admission agreement. Based on the interviews conducted and documentation obtained, the Department has found that the complaint is UNFOUNDED, meaning that the allegation was false, could not have happened and/or is without a reasonable basis.
The Department has investigated the complaint alleging that resident bedroom doors have a lock that required a code. LPA conducted interviews, record reviews and toured the facility and it was found that there are only three locks in the following locations of the facility: the door leading to the garage, the caregiver room, and one resident room. Per interviews with the residents residing in the room with the lock, both residents requested for the lock to be in place. LPA conducted a total of 6 interviews of which 4 corroborated with the allegation, 1 was unavailable for an interview, and 1 was unable to continue with the interview. LPA reviewed charts of both residents whose door has a lock, and found that both residents do not have any cognitive impairment. The code to the lock is also labeled on the lock, and residents are able to open the door without a lock from the inside of their room. LPA also verified that there is no lock from inside the resident’s bedroom, only on the outside door. Based on the interviews conducted and documentation obtained, the Department has found that the complaint is UNFOUNDED, meaning that the allegation was false, could not have happened and/or is without a reasonable basis.
An exit interview was conducted a copy of this report was provided to the facility.
