Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation: Staff violated residents' personal rights by installing locks on the outside of their doors

The details of the complaint alleged that facility staff violated resident’s personal rights by installing locks on the outside of their doors.

During the records review, LPA Iniguez observed the SRI created by the facility dated 6/19/24. It is written that on 6/18/24, an Ombudsman representative came to the facility and noticed the locks on the outside of (R#1) and (R#2) doors. (A#1) stated that she explained to the Ombudsman representative that one of the locks was placed by a family member and the other was placed per (R#2) request. Facility staff removed (R#1)’s lock and informed their representative.

During a physical tour of the facility, LPA observed in room #264 a doorknob placed by the facility per the resident's request; since (R#1) is on vacation, they asked the facility administrator (A#1) to place a doorknob lock outside their room. In addition, LPA checked room #125; the lock had been removed by facility staff approximately at 9:00 AM, before LPA arrived at the facility on 6/19/24 approximately at 2:00PM.

During an interview with the administrator (A#1), she stated that regarding the lock on room #125, (R#2) requested that it be placed when they are out of town. (A#1) stated that they have a copy of that key in an emergency. On the other hand, (A#1) stated that the latch lock on room #264 was removed this morning at approximately 9:00 AM prior to LPA's arrival at the facility at 2:00 PM.