Complaint Investigation Report

Regarding the allegation: Lack of staff supervision resulting in resident being physically abused by another resident. It is alleged that due to lack of staff supervision, a resident is being physically abused by another resident. Per the allegation, one resident has been throwing stuff at another resident and staff are not doing anything to stop the residents behavior’s. Five (5) out of five (5) staff interviewed deny this allegation. According to staff, when residents argue and are not getting along with one another, staff separate residents and speak to residents to resolve the issue. Staff have not observed residents get physically abusive towards other residents. Six (6) out of seven (7) residents interviewed could not corroborate this allegation. According to residents, when the residents argue with one another, staff intervene and settle the residents’ problems. Residents interviewed claim that they have never seen residents get physically abusive to other residents. The investigation did not reveal any indication of physical abuse occurring between residents. Based upon record review and interviews conducted the findings indicate that, although the allegation may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.

Regarding the allegation: Lack of staff supervision resulting in resident being mentally/verbally abused by another resident. It is alleged that residents are verbally abusing one another and staff are preventing residents from abusing one another. Interviews with five (5) out of five (5) staff interviewed deny this allegation. According to staff, there was one incident that occurred, where a resident was verbally abusive towards staff. Staff reported that the resident was verbally abusive toward staff because resident wanted a medication earlier than prescribed by the resident’s physician. Staff admitted to speaking to residents in a raised voice in order to calm residents, however, staff stated they never yell or speak angrily with residents. A resident reported the incident to staff, the resident claimed to have observed another resident behaving in an irrational manner, by yelling, screaming and throwing lots of items onto the floor. Interviews with six (6) out of seven (7) residents were not able to corroborate this allegation. Four (4) out of seven (7) residents interviewed stated they have heard the resident yelling and screaming at staff, the staff intervene and speak and reason with the resident to calm the resident down and prevent the resident from continuing to scream. The investigation did not reveal any indication that residents are verbally abusing one another and staff are not addressing the residents verbal abuse. Based upon record review and interviews conducted the findings indicate that, although the allegation may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is unsubstantiated.