Complaint Investigation Report

Allegations: Resident sustained an unexplained injury while in care.

Staff did not assist the resident with obtaining medical care.

The details of this complaint allege resident #1 (R1) sustained an unexplained injury while in care and that staff failed to assist the resident with obtaining medical care. The complainant states she observed (R1) with a swollen arm/wrist on 07/06/22 during an outing with family members. The complainant alleges the unexplained injury occurred while (R1) is under care at this facility. The department interviewed (R1) who claims the staff provides adequate care services. (R1) asserts he has no concerns for his health or safety while being cared for by staff. (R1) does not recall how he injured his left wrist. In an interview with witness #1 (W1), the power of attorney for (R1) states these allegations are false. (W1) reports she was with (R1) during the family outing on 07/06/22 and did not observe (R1's) left wrist to have been severely swollen. (W1) argues due to (R1's) medical condition, a flare-up and swelling in the joints may occur. (W1) states this condition might have been caused by (R1's) food consumption for lunch or dinner during his outing. (R1) is on a special diet. (W1) declares the swelling did not happen while at the facility, but while he was out with family members. Interviews with staff #1-5 (S1-S5) reported that they did not observe any swelling or injuries on (R1's) wrist before his departure with family members. Interviews with residents #2-#5 (R2-R5) and witnesses #2-#5 (W2-W5) did not know any residents with unexplained injuries. (R2-R5) and (W2-W5) expressed the staff provides adequate care and supervision.

The complainant asserts staff did not assist (R1) with medical care and did not make medical records for (R1) accessible for review. The Department interviewed (R1) who does not recall receiving medical attention for his wrist on 07/06/22. However, medical records from Kaiser Permanente Hospital revealed that (R1) received immediate medical attention on 07/06/22 and that the exam and imaging suggest that there are no serious injuries. Interviews with (S1-S5) verified that (R1's) power of attorney (W1) was notified immediately of the incident when (R1) returned from the family outing and was taken to the emergency for medical observation. Incidents reports and email communications verified the authorizing representative was notified on 07/06/22. Interviews with (R2-R5) and (W2-W5) expressed that they had no issues with the staff seeking medical attention for residents promptly.