Regarding allegation, Staff are not trained to dispense medication to residents. It is alleged that staff are not trained to dispense medication to residents. Interviews with staff members revealed that they all had medication training as part of completing their DSP I or DSP II certification. In addition to that, the facility Administrator or the House Manager conduct medication training to new staff members as part of their new-hire orientation. Interview with W1 revealed that SCLARC encourage the providers and staff to have ongoing monthly training but do not require DSPs to receive medication training annually or semi annually. Interview with C1 revealed that the staff gives him his medication on schedule and only those prescribed by his physician. LPA reviewed the staff files and observed S1-S7 have valid DSP certificates and have taken medication training during their new hire orientation. LPA also reviewed the MARs for all (4) clients for Mar 2023-Apr 2023 and did not observe any discrepancies. Based on statements and interviews conducted with C1 and staff as well as reviewed files and documentation, there was not enough supportive evidence to corroborate the allegation.

Regarding allegation: Staff use medication to restrain residents in care. It is alleged that staff give residents medication to put them to sleep. S1 stated that the staff only give clients their prescribed medications as they are prescribed and stated that PRN medications are given to clients only as needed. S1 stated that a similar allegation was untimely reported to him by a former staff in 2022. S1 stated that it was reported to him (6) months after the incident allegedly happened, which was one of the reasons why both staff were terminated. S1 indicated that the facility has zero tolerance to any type of abuse. S1 also stated that S2 and former employee did not get along well and had problems with each other. S2-S6 stated that they never restrain clients by using medication. Staff members interviewed also stated that medications are properly documented on the Medication Administration Records (MARs) when given to the clients. Staff member interviewed also indicated that prior to giving the clients PRNs, he asks the lead staff or nurse first before administering it. S2 denied the allegation and stated that he never restrained any clients by using medication and only give PRNs as needed. C1 denied that the staff did not give him cough medicine to put him to sleep. C1 also stated that the staff gave him the cough medication when he was sick or when he had the cough symptoms, but not to restrain him. C1 did not see or hear any other clients being given cough medicine to help them go to sleep. Interview with W1 stated that this was similar to the allegation she investigated back in Sep/Oct 2022 and found to be inconclusive. W1 stated that an informal conference was provided to the facility. LPA reviewed all (4) clients' MARs for the months of March 2023 and April 2023 and observed that MARs were properly completed when medications/PRNs are administered to clients. LPA observed the physician order for cough medicine given on 1/3/2023, 1/18/2023 and 1/30/2023 for C1-C4. LPA did not observe that a PRN medication was given to any of the clients on the MARs that were reviewed. LPA also observed that the clients still had remaining cough syrup that was properly stored, locked in plastic containers and was inaccessible to clients. Based on LPA observations, record review and statements gathered from interviews conducted with staff and C1 there was not enough supportive evidence to concur with the reported allegation.

Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations did or did not occur, therefore the allegations are UNSUBSTANTIATED.