complaint·April 20, 2023

Continued from LIC9099 Interviews were conducted with current and former staff, who did not corroborate the allegation. No interviewed staff advised that they had been told to give any resident medication outside of their prescription and had not observed any other staff being told to do so. Interviews with outside sources who frequently visited the facility revealed no observation of staff medicating residents incorrectly and no observations of staff being told to do so by management. Facility records reviewed during the timeframe of the complaint showed that the resident in question was given the medications and dosages according to prescription. Regarding the second allegation, “Uncleared staff working at facility”, it was alleged that underage and undocumented staff were providing care to residents. Interviews were conducted with current and former staff, who claimed they had no knowledge of anyone uncleared or underage giving care to residents at the facility. Interviews revealed that children did live on the facility property previously with their parents who were employees, in the apartments above the facility reserved for staff. Interviews revealed that these children did not come down into the facility and did not attempt to give care to any resident. Outside source interviews denied ever having seen underage or uncleared staff working at the facility. Review of facility records confirmed that all staff listed on the employee roster had background clearances. During 3 unannounced facility visits, LPA did not observe any children present at the facility, or any staff member working at the facility that was not listed on the employee roster. Regarding the third allegation, “Licensee illegally evicted resident”, it was alleged that management instructed staff members not to allow a resident back to the facility after a hospitalization. LPA interviewed the outside agency staff involved in the resident in question’s care and placement. The interview revealed that the resident was moved to a different facility due to their increasing needs, as the resident’s level of care became inconsistent with what Ranchview Senior Assisted Living could provide. Interview revealed that the facility and agency were in communication about the resident’s placement and the resident was moved to a different facility that provided a higher level of care. The agency denied that the resident was unlawfully evicted and confirmed that at no time did the facility refuse to take the resident back. Staff interviews revealed that management was working with the agency to find a solution to meet the resident’s needs at the facility, including possibly providing a resource for 1-1 care; but the agency was able to find a different facility for the resident. Continued on LIC9099-C Continued from LIC9099-C Records reviewed did not corroborate the allegation that the resident was illegally evicted but showed that both agency and facility were in communication regarding placement for the resident. No information gathered by the Department showed that the facility refused to accept the resident in question back to the facility. Regarding the fourth allegation, “Licensee not following reporting requirements”, it was alleged that staff were being told not to document reportable incidents to Licensing. Interviews with former and current staff did not show that staff were being told not to document or report unusual incidents for residents, per the requirement. Staff interviewed confirmed that they had not been told by management to refrain from reporting and had not seen any other staff being told not to report. Interviews showed that staff are encouraged to report even minor incidents and are reminded during meetings to report all incidents. Outside sources advised that they had no observation or concern that the facility was not reporting incidents. Regarding the fifth allegation, “Staff forged documents”, it was alleged that staff were being told to manipulate incident reports sent to licensing. Interviews with former and current staff did not support the claim that staff were told to manipulate reports, and no staff interviewed observed other staff being told to manipulate reports. Interviews revealed that staff are instructed to tell the truth when documenting incidents and also when being directly interviewed by Licensing. Outside source interviews revealed that the reports received from the facility were consistent with the known behaviors of resident(s), and there were no concerns regarding the facility’s accuracy in reporting incidents. Based on interviews, direct LPA observations and records review, a preponderance of evidence does not exist to prove that the 5 alleged violation(s) occurred; the allegations are therefore UNSUBSTANTIATED. An exit interview was conducted with Ryan Ament, Operations Assistant, to whom a copy of this report and the Licensee/Appeal Rights (LIC9058 01/16) were provided.