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Department of
SOCIAL SERVICES

Community Care Licensing


COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT

Facility Number: 197609826
Report Date: 09/26/2023
Date Signed: 09/26/2023 02:33:54 PM

Unsubstantiated


STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
This is an official report of an unannounced visit/investigation of a complaint received in our office on
06/09/2023 and conducted by Evaluator Michael Cava
COMPLAINT CONTROL NUMBER: 31-AS-20230609102807
FACILITY NAME:GARDEN OF PALMSFACILITY NUMBER:
197609826
ADMINISTRATOR:GINSBURG, MENACHEMFACILITY TYPE:
740
ADDRESS:1025 N FAIRFAX AVETELEPHONE:
(323) 656-7900
CITY:LOS ANGELESSTATE: CAZIP CODE:
90046
CAPACITY:0CENSUS: 99DATE:
09/26/2023
UNANNOUNCEDTIME BEGAN:
09:48 AM
MET WITH:Rena HirschTIME COMPLETED:
02:45 PM
ALLEGATION(S):
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9
Staff do not ensure that the facility remains free of odors
Staff do not assist resident with toileting
Staff do not ensure a comfortable living environment for resident
INVESTIGATION FINDINGS:
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LIcensing Program Analysts (LPAs) Evelin Rios and Michael Cava conducted a subsequent complaint visit to the facility to conclude the investigation regarding the above allegations. LPAs met the administrator, Rena Hirsch, and advised her of the complaint. Today's investigation consisted of client and staff interviews, a physical plant inspection and record review.

Staff do not ensure that the facility remains free of odors:
In regards to the allegation, it was alleged that resident bedroom smell of urine. During the course of the investigation, LPAs conducted a physical plant inspection. Resident rooms and common areas were inspected to insure the facility is clean, safe and sanitary. Four (4) out of four staff were interviewed and they stated housekeeping for resident rooms and the common areas are conducted everyday. If there is an accident due to an incontinant need, rooms and/or common areas are cleaned as needed. Interviews with ten (10) of ten residents do not corroborate with the allegation. The residents that were interviewed
Unsubstantiated
Estimated Days of Completion:
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Eva MillerTELEPHONE: (818) 596-4373
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Michael CavaTELEPHONE: (818) 389-7921
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/26/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/26/2023
This report must be available at Child Care and Group Home facilities for public review for 3 years.
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 1 of 2
Control Number 31-AS-20230609102807
STATE OF CALIFORNIA - HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES AGENCY

COMPLAINT INVESTIGATION REPORT (Cont)
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
COMMUNITY CARE LICENSING DIVISION
CCLD Regional Office, 21731 VENTURA BLVD., STE. 250
WOODLAND HILLS, CA 91364
FACILITY NAME: GARDEN OF PALMS
FACILITY NUMBER: 197609826
VISIT DATE: 09/26/2023
NARRATIVE
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confirmed that housekeeping is performed everyday. Based on the information obtained, there was insufficient evidence to prove that staff do not ensure facility remains free of odors. Therefore, the allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.

Staff do not assist resident with toileting:
In regards to the allegation, it was alleged that staff never cleans or empty out Resident 1's (R1) urinal. Interviews with four (4) of four staff state that resident urinals are emptied and cleaned out every two hours after use. LPAs conducted a physical plant inspection of R1's room, and observed two empty urinals. Furthermore, there was no trace of urine odor or smell in R1's room. R1 and their current roommate Resident 3 (R3) were interviewed, and they both confirmed that R1's urinal is emptied and cleaned out every two hours. Based on the information obtained, there was insufficient evidence to prove that staff do not assist resident with toileting. Therefore, the allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.

Staff do not ensure a comfortable living environment for resident:
In regards to the allegation, it was reported that resident room smells of urine because R1's urinal is kept full under the bed and staff fails to clean and empty out the urinal, causing the resident's room to smell. It was also reported that R1 plays with the urine in their urinal that makes it add to the smell in the room. As a result of the odor, Resident 2 (R2) had to sleep in the activity room for three nights. Interviews with four (4) of four staff deny the allegation stating that R1's urinal is never kept full and under the bed. Staff stated R1 does have a urinal by their bedside, but it gets cleaned and emptied out every two hours. Staff adds that housekeeping is made everyday to insure rooms are clean and sanitary. In regards to R2 having to sleep in the activity room due to the odor, staff were unaware as R2 never expressed any complaints or concerns of their room smelling of urine. Interview with R1 confirm that their urinal is emptied and cleaned every two hours. When R1 was asked if they play with their urine in their urinal, R1 stated no. Based on the information obtained, there was insufficient evidence to prove that staff does not ensure a comfortable living environment for resident. Therefore, the allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.
SUPERVISOR'S NAME: Eva MillerTELEPHONE: (818) 596-4373
LICENSING EVALUATOR NAME: Michael CavaTELEPHONE: (818) 389-7921
LICENSING EVALUATOR SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/26/2023
I acknowledge receipt of this form and understand my licensing appeal rights as explained and received.
FACILITY REPRESENTATIVE SIGNATURE:

DATE: 09/26/2023
LIC9099 (FAS) - (06/04)
Page: 2 of 2