Health inspection·September 18, 2024

F 0583 Keep residents' personal and medical records private and confidential. Level of Harm - Minimal harm or potential for actual harm **NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY** Based on observation, interview, and record review, the facility failed to respect 1 of 3 sampled residents (Resident 1) right to personal privacy when Resident 1's bank account statement was opened and viewed by facility staff. This failure resulted in unauthorized access to Resident 1's personal privacy. Residents Affected - Few Findings: During a concurrent observation and interview with Resident 1 on 9/17/2024 at 9:25 AM in the day hall of the facility, Resident 1 was oriented to person and place. Resident 1 stated her son and daughter took care of her finances. During a review of Resident 1's Face Sheet, it indicated Resident 1 was admitted to the facility on [DATE] with diagnoses that included Alzheimer's disease (a condition characterized by progressive or persistent loss of intellectual functioning, especially with impairment of memory and abstract thinking, and often with personality change, resulting from organic disease of the brain.) Furthermore, Resident 1's Face Sheet indicated the Resident 1's Son had the Durable Power of Attorney. During a review of Resident 1's durable power of attorney, dated 3/1/2023 showed Resident 1's Son's name. During an interview with the Standards and Compliance Coordinator (SCC) on 9/18/2024 at 8:20 AM in the facility's conference room, the SCC stated that the Memory Care staff was authorized to open mail for residents. During an interview with the Medical Social Worker (MSW) on 9/18/2024 at 8:45 AM in the facility's conference room, the MSW stated that she opened and viewed Resident 1's June 2024, Bank Account Statement. MSW stated Resident 1's Son had given his consent to open Resident 1's mail via telephone. The MSW was unable to provide documented evidence to indicate telephone consent was received from Resident 1's Son. During a telephone interview with Resident 1's Son on 9/18/2024 at 11 AM, he denied providing consent to open Resident 1's mail. The facility's policy and procedure titled Mail, Involvement With, Social Services dated 10/20/2023, indicated: The resident or legal representative may request mail assistance on a regular basis. This is especially indicated when a resident is in a coma, physically unable to open the mail, severely demented, Page 1 of 2 555891 555891 09/18/2024 Veterans Home of California - Redding 3400 Knighton Road Redding, CA 96002

F 0583 Level of Harm - Minimal harm or potential for actual harm blind or paralyzed. Under such circumstances, the mail may be forwarded to their representative or brought to the resident unopened. Mail may only be opened for the member at his or her request. If a resident has a conservator, power or attorney, payee, or other representative, the social worker may forward relevant mail to that representative. Residents Affected - Few 555891 Page 2 of 2