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32 | R1 was admitted to the facility on 03/23/2022. According to the Physician Report dated 03/22/2022, R1’s primary diagnoses included Dementia and listed R1 as non-ambulatory. R1’s mental condition was noted as confused, disoriented, with inappropriate and aggressive behavior. The report listed no wandering or sundowning behavior. The facility assessment, dated 03/23/2022, noted R1 “had no mobility issues, no known sleep issues, and no known fall risk”. The assessment noted R1 was “mobile and there were no ambulation concerns according to the physician’s assessment and personal assessment”.
The investigation revealed that on 04/08/2022, R1 sustained an unwitnessed fall. Sometime after 2:00 a.m., the overnight (NOC shift) facility caregivers witnessed R1 with a nosebleed and gave R1 an ice pack. When the caregivers asked R1 how R1 injured their face, R1 told them they could not remember. At 4:00 a.m., the caregivers noticed R1’s eye had a small bruise. Staff #1 (S1) then sent a text message to the facility Health Services Director and Administrator. Later that day, R1 was taken to West Hills Hospital and diagnosed with fractures to the nose and left eye orbit.
Based on the fact that the fall was unforeseen, R1 could not remember how they sustained the facial injuries, R1 was no considered a fall risk and no witnesses observed the fall, the allegation “Due to facility neglect/lack of supervision, Resident #1 (R1) sustained facial fractures while in care” is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.
Allegation: Staff are getting into trouble by management for calling 911
It was alleged that when staff felt that they needed to call 9-1-1 for an emergency, management threatens to fire them. Interviews with staff revealed that they have not been directed or discouraged from calling 9-1-1; rather, staff are encouraged whenever they determine residents are in need of elevated medical assistance to inform the Administrator and or Health Services Director to ensure that all parties are appropriately notified. Interviews further revealed that if there is an emergency situation, staff should call 9-1-1 before informing the administrator or health services director, a delay in calling the administrator first could cause a resident their life. The administrator and health services director were reminded that staff are essential in assessing the resident appropriately and taking on the decision to call 9-1-1 during emergencies. The facility has taken steps to re-train on 9-1-1 protocols. This investigation did not reveal any evidence of “staff getting in trouble by management for calling 9-1-1”; therefore, this allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time. |