HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interview, the hospital failed to ensure an initial report elopement was reported to Louisiana Department of Health within 24 hours of awareness of the incident, as required by LDH-HSS, for 1 (#1) of 1 patients reviewed for self-reports to LDH-HSS from a total patient sample of 5.

Findings:

Review of the LDH hospital/licensed provider Abuse/Neglect Initial Report form revealed the self-report form was to be completed and submitted via email to HSS within 24 hours of awareness of reportable events.

Patient #1

Review of hospital Incident Report revealed patient #1 stole the facility keys from the purse of S3MHT and eloped from the hospital on 02/06/22 at 2:05 p.m.

Review of the email notification of the event sent to LDH revealed the notification to LDH was made on 02/07/22 at 5:55 p.m.

On 02/09/22 at 11:00 a.m., an interview with S2Director of Risk Management confirmed she reported the elopement of Patient #1 to LDH on 02/07/22 at 5:55 p.m., which was not within 24 hours of the hospital becoming aware of the incidents. She stated she had thought the required reporting time-frame for initial submission of self-reports was the end of the next business day.