Complaint Investigation Report

The investigation revealed the following:

In regards to the allegation: "Staff are not allowing resident to leave facility ." It is alleged that staff did not allow R2 to leave the facility with R1 and staff did not treat them with dignity, comparing the environment to being incarcerated in a state penitentiary. Staff interviewed denied the allegation. Staff stated that they are trained on resident rights and residents are allowed to leave the facility if they choose to. However, some residents, including R2, have restrictions based on doctor's orders and are required to have permission from a family member to leave unassisted. Staff stated that based on the documented care plans that were required for R2's care and due to safety concerns, R2 was not permitted to leave the facility unassisted. Additionally, there was an instruction requiring that a family member (FM) grant authorization before R2 was permitted to leave the community. Staff confirmed that no residents are restrained and that R2 does not have a restraint device. (11) out of (15) residents interviewed stated that they can leave the community whenever they want and none of the staff ever tried to stop them. (3) out of (15) stated that they wanted to leave the facility on their own but their doctor restricted them to leave unassisted. Some interviewed residents also stated that they feel safe leaving and have not been threatened by any staff when leaving the premises. Review of R2's Physician's report indicated that R2 cannot leave unassisted. LPA also confirmed the family member's instruction about getting permission for R2 to leave the community. During the visit, LPA also observed that the reception area maintains a list of residents who are restricted to leave the facility unassisted. Furthermore, the facility maintains a sign in and out logs and residents are free to come and go. Therefore there was insufficient evidence to corroborate with this allegation.

Based on statements and interviews conducted with residents and staff as well as reviewed files and documentation, there was not enough supportive evidence to corroborate the allegation.

Although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violation did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is UNSUBSTANTIATED.

Exit interview conducted and a copy of this report was provided to Maria Quizon, Executive Director.