Complaint·February 9, 2024

Allegation: Facility staff restrained resident in care by placing wheelchairs or obstacles to prevent resident from getting out of bed. – Unsubstantiated. According to the complainant, unspecified staff left R1 alone in bed for long hours, and placed wheelchairs or obstacles to prevent R1 from getting from bed independently. The Department received an interview statement from a resident (R1). R1 indicated staff entered R1’s room at approximately 1-2 AM and placed wheelchair and electric scooter on the right side of the bed which prevented R1 from using transfer pole to get in and out of bed. The Department reviewed R1’s physician’s report and level of care assessments. The physician’s report indicated R1 had bladder impairment, bowel impairment, and requires continuous bed care. R1 can care for all personal needs, bath self, dress/groom self, feed self, and care for own toileting needs. R1 is not able to ambulate without assistance. According to R1’s level of care assessment, R1 requires standby assist when toileting. The Department interviewed and received statements from a total of five (5) facility staff and two (2) residents. Interview statement received from staff (S1 and S5) indicated has not observed R1’s wheelchair or electric scooter placed in the area to prevent R1 from getting in and out of bed. Interview statement received from staff (S3) stated based on the pictures that R1 provided to the facility the incident did occur and it is true that staff (S6) barricaded R1’s bed area with wheelchair and electric scooter. S3 stated did not observe the incident in person. S3 stated staff (S6) are no longer working at the facility. The Department attempted to interview S6 via telephone. The Department conducted a thorough investigation and is unable to determine if the above allegation did occur. Due to the information above, CCL finds the allegation to be UNSUBSTANTIATED, meaning that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred. An exit interview was conducted, and a copy of the report was left at the facility .