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Based on record review and interview the hospital failed to comply with mandated reporting of abuse and neglect. The deficient practice is evidenced by failure of the facility to notify the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH) within 24 hours in 6 of 10 reviewed incidents with possible abuse when local police were involved and/or in cases of patient to patient abuse when the involved parties were not injured.
Findings:

The surveyor reviewed 10 incidents documented between 11/10/2024 and 12/04/2024 described as "Patient Attacked Other Patient." Of the 10 incidents, six involved one patient hitting another patient, one incident involved a patient kicking another patient, one involved a patient grabbing the face of another patient, one involved a thrown sock, and the last was threatening behavior. Of the six that involved closed fist hitting, only one was reported to Louisiana Department of Health as possible abuse or neglect.

Review of the incident that occurred on 01/30/2024 and reported to LDH on 12/04/2024, revealed Patient #3 hit a nurse in the face twice. A second patient tried to defend the nurse, and began fighting with Patient #3 and "slammed him [Patient#3] to the ground." Two Behavioral Health Assistants (BHA) immediately responded and code was initiated. After the fight, local police were called and after statements were taken, Patient #3 was taken to acute care for evaluation and then returned to the facility. There were two staff members who were also taken to acute care for evaluation with serious injuries, but they refused to press charges against the two patients.

Review of the incident from 11/10/2024 at 6:45 PM revealed Patient #4 and Patient #5 were sharing a room and got into an argument. Patient #4 spit on Patient #5 and then Patient #5 hit Patient #4 on his ear and left middle back leaving redness. Patient #4 was given an ice pack and the patients were assigned separate rooms. The physician and both guardians were notified.

Review of the incident from 11/11/2024 at 8:00 PM revealed Patient #6 ran into the room of Patient #7 and hit Patient #7 on the left side of the face. The patients were separated and first aid was provided to Patient #7. The practitioner was notified and Patient #6 received Zyprexa and Benadryl. The mother of Patient #7 was notified and attempts were made to contact the guardian of Patient #6.

Review of the incidents from 11/13/2024 at 11:30 AM and 11/14/2024 at 6:03 PM revealed Patient #8 and Patient #9 exchanged punches to the face on two consecutive days. On 11/13/2024 Patient #9 hit Patient #8 in the face. On 11/14/2024 Patient #8 hit Patient #9 in the face and Patient #9 responded by hitting Patient #8 in the face. After both incidents the practitioner and both guardians were notified.

Review of the incident from 12/04/2024 at 5:48 PM revealed Patient #10 hit Patient #11 in the nose with a closed fist. The 2 were separated and Patient #11 was evaluated and given pain medication. Patient #11 wanted to press charges and police were called.

During the review on 12/11/2024 at 12:33 PM, S3DR verified she did not initially report the incident involving Patient #3 to LDH because the police were called and she understood if the police were involved, a report to the licensing authority was not necessary. S3DR verified the incident was only reported to Louisiana Department of Health after a grievance for abuse by staff was submitted on 12/03/2024 to the hospital about the event. The incident had been thoroughly investigated prior to receiving the grievance and the allegation of abuse by staff was not substantiated. S3DR also verified LDH was not notified of the incidents involving Patients #4-#11 because the patients involved were not seriously injured.