HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of documentation and interview, the facility failed to ensure patient 1 of 1 (patient #1) the right to be free from all forms of abuse or harassment, as evidence by failing to appropriately report suspected abuse/neglect per facility policy. This failure could place patients at risk for physical harm, mental anguish, and mental illness.

Findings included:

On 09/23/2024 patient #1 reported to staff #A that a nurse had hit her on 06/03/2024. Staff #A reported this allegation to staff #D who documented it on the shift report. The shift report was forwarded to staff #D's manager and other facility staffs. No report was submitted to administration for investigation.

Record review of shift report note on 09/23/2024 revealed staff #D reported that staff #A spoke with her regarding patient #1 reporting a nurse had hit her on 06/03/2024. The shift report was sent to six hospital staff members.

Interview with staff #E on 10/16/2024 at 10:00 am, revealed she never received a report of abuse regarding patient #1. Staff #E stated the facility's policy for allegation of abuse is staff will notify their charge nurse and manager and the allegations would be escalated up to administration (Risk Management and Human Resources) and an investigation would be conducted.

Telephone interview with staff #D on 10/17/2024 at 12:16 pm, revealed she recalled staff #A reporting patient #1 had reported a nurse had hit her. Staff #D stated she included the information on the shift report and emailed it to her manager. Staff #D stated she should have done an Occurrence Report that would have escalated the allegation to administration to investigate; stated "I did not do that."

Facility policy entitled, "PC 147 Alleged Patient Abuse by A Methodist Health System Employee", revised on 02/20/2024 revealed under Guidelines:
(1)(A) All allegations, observation or suspected cases if abuse, neglect, abandonment, or exploitation that occurs within the Methodist Health System where the alleged perpetrator is an employee, volunteer, or representative of MHS should be reported immediately to the charge nurse and/or nurse manager/director of e unit/department where the abuse has allegedly occurred.
(B) All allegations of patient abuse occurring within MHS facilities (to include when the perpetrator an MHS employee, volunteer, or representative) should activate two (2) distinct and concurrent inquiries to be conducted by the following departments: (1) Risk Management (2) Human /Resources.