Complaint Investigation Report

Even though records show that call bell alarms in Assisted Living were not answered in a timely matter to ensure that residents' needs were meet (see Case Management report for 9/16/2022), there is not enough to prove or disprove that facility staff failed to respond to call bell.

In regard to “staff left residents unattended”, Department learned during interviews and documentation cited above that there were only one staff in assisted living after the hours of 4:09 AM. Department obtained an email from Acting ED Jillian Hunter on 2/25/2022 stating that there were 1 medication technician and 3 caregiver on schedule for 2/17/2022. Facility was not able to provide a formal schedule. Complaint stated that resident had a fall and contacted family member for assistance after pressing call bell alarm and not receiving any staff assistance. Family members called facility – no answer, family member arrived at facility through unlock front door and found no staff after looking around for 20 minutes, helped resident and left without seen a staff around. Resident after being assisted by family was attended by staff – records show that there was a wait of 49 min and that staff stated to resident that “’staff’ was by ‘itself’”. Resident was left without assistance for a long period of time and Department is not able to prove or disprove that residents were left unattended. (copy of records on file)

A finding that the complaint allegations of “Staff left residents unattended” and “Staff did not respond to call bell.” are unsubstantiated meaning that 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.

No deficiencies cited during this inspection.