HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interview, the hospital failed to report an allegation of potential abuse/neglect to LDH-HSS (Louisiana Department of Health - Health Standards Section) or a local law enforcement agency within 24 hours of receipt of the allegation for 1 (#1) of 1 sampled patient reviewed for abuse/neglect.

Findings:

Review of the State law R.S. 40:2009.20 revealed "Any person who is engaged in the practice of medicine, social service, facility administration, psychological services or any RN, LPN, nurses' aide, personal care attendant, respite worker, physician's assistant, physical therapist, or any other healthcare giver having knowledge that a consumer's physical or mental health or welfare has been or may be further adversely affected by abuse, neglect, or exploitation shall, within 24 hours, submit a report to the department or inform the unit or local law enforcement agency of such abuse or neglect."

Review of the hospital's policy Rights, Responsibilities, and organizational ethic, Policy Number: RI 001 revealed in part, " A patient who believes he/she have been abused or neglected shall maintain the right to report such an issue to any staff member, but shall be directed to formally lodge it with the Patient Advocate. The Director of Nursing or the designee shall be responsible for investigating the claim and shall initiate the investigation immediately upon receipt of the complaint. The DON or administrator on call has 24 hours from the time he/she was notified of the event to do an initial self-report to DHH if required."

Review of Patient #1's medical record revealed Patient #1 was admitted on 5/23/19 for Paranoid Schizophrenia and Bizarre Behavior. Review of her Physician's Emergency Certificate dated 5/22/19 at 2315 revealed "the patient has been paranoid, states that her neighbors sends out their animals to her yard to hurt her. Son reports she has been hallucinating and stating she has been in touch with the governor."

Review of the Grievance/Complaint log revealed a complaint from Patient #1's son on 5/30/19 that revealed his mother's wrist was broken while she was on the unit and he did not know when it happened. Patient (his mother) reported to him that someone pushed him down.

An interview was conducted with S2DON on 8/12/19 at 2:00 p.m. She stated she did not report the allegation to State Office because they immediately reviewed the video of the patient's entire stay. With review of the video it revealed the patient slid herself on the floor from a chair and fell to the ground. This occurred when Patient #1 was first brought to the unit by the EMTs. She went on to state she thought if the allegations were immediately investigated and found to be unfounded and witnessed the allegation did not have to be reported to state office.