Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation: Facility is not taking necessary precautions to prevent the spread of covid-19.

It is alleged that facility staff refused to give client a mask when it was requested. LPA spoke to Administrator Stephanie Brown regarding allegation. Per Ms. Brown, both staff and clients clean high touch areas twice a day. Facility conducts weekly testing on staff and residents and they reinforce masks and social distancing. During visits on 10/6/2021 and 11/10/2021 LPA Cifuentes had to fill put a sign in sheet in facility office, which included having temperature taken by facility staff. LPA also observed staff taking temperature of clients while giving out medications and ask client to wear they mask and offer one if they needed. LPA spoke with clients C1-C8 regarding allegation. When asked if they believed facility was taking necessary precautions against covid-19, seven out of eight clients answered yes. They added that testing was available weekly. When asked if they had ever been denied a mask by staff, six out of eight staff stated that facility staff had not denied them a mask. LPA Cifuentes interviewed staff 1-staff 5 regarding allegations. When asked if they believed facility was taking necessary precautions against covid-19, five out of five answered yes. When asked if they had ever refused a client a face mask, all five answered no. Based on information gathered and service records reviewed, the Department did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above.

Allegation: Staff altered resident's mail.

It is alleged that staff altered residents mail by stapling letters together. LPA Cifuentes spoke with Administrator Stephanie Brown who stated mail is brought in a tub by post office. It is sorted alphabetically by facility staff and stored in office. When clients come to the office and ask for their mail it is given to them by staff. Staff do not open residents mail. LPA observed mail area. Letter are placed into an organizer in alphabetical order. None of the mail observed was open or stapled together. LPA did observe a few envelopes wrapped in a rubber band. LPA asked facility residents if their mail had ever been opened. Of the eight questioned, eight stated their mail had not been opened by facility staff. LPA Cifuentes spoke with facility staff, of the five questioned, four stated that clients mail was not opened. The fifth staff did not work with the mail. Based on information gathered, the Department did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above.