complaint·February 14, 2024

The Department conducted interviews and reviewed records regarding the allegation that staff did not prevent a resident from eloping for the facility. On 08/07/2023, the Department received a telephone call from administrator, Sheila Bucovati, to report an incident that occurred at the facility. The administrator submitted an unusual incident report for review. According to the incident report, on 08/07/2023 at approximately 6 AM, R2 managed to walk out of the facility front door. The staff were assisting other residents in their care with their showers at the time and heard the front door alarm sound. The staff immediately went to conduct rounds to check on residents in care. The staff noticed R2 was missing and walked outside to locate R2. R2 was located a few houses from the facility. The staff were able to redirect R2 back to the facility. Based on interviews conducted, it took staff approximately 5 minutes to locate R2. At the time of the incident, R2’s power of attorney (POA) was notified. The facility put a plan in place for R2 which included engaging R2 with more one on one observation to keep R2 from distraction and wandering away from the facility. R2 did not sustain any bodily injury as a result of R2’s elopement from the facility. The Department reviewed R2’s physician’s report. According to physician’s report, R2 can be confused/disoriented, has wandering behavior, and is unable to leave the facility unassisted. Although the facility did their due diligence by reporting the incident to the licensing agency and R2’s POA via telephone no later than the next working day and in writing within 7 calendar days, staff did not provide R2 with proper supervision resulting in R2 eloping from the facility. As a result of this investigation, the Department finds allegation to be (S) Substantiated - A finding that the complaint is Substantiated means that the allegation is valid because the preponderance of the evidence standard has been met. Deficiencies are being cited for today's visit. Exit interview conducted and report provided.