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SOUTHWESTERN VERMONT MEDICAL CENTER 100 HOSPITAL DRIVE BENNINGTON, VT 05201 April 11, 2013
VIOLATION: PATIENT RIGHTS: FREE FROM ABUSE/HARASSMENT Tag No: A0145
Based on record review and staff interviews the facility failed to report to the appropriate SA (State Agency) an allegation of abuse of 1 patient by care providers. (Patient #1). Findings include:

1. Per record review Patient #1, who was admitted , on 10/31/12, alleged an incident of staff mistreatment against him/her that was not reported to the appropriate SA within the required time period of 48 hours. Per review the patient was admitted for repair of a wound dehiscence (pulling apart of wound edges) and underwent 3 surgical procedures between 11/1/12 and 11/8/12. During interview, on the morning of 4/9/13, Nurse #1, who worked in the role of Clinical Coordinator of the Medical/Surgical Unit, stated that on the evening of 11/9/12 Patient #1 had disclosed to him/her that staff who had worked during the previous night shift had hurt him/her during provision of peri care. The nurse stated that, although the patient had been groggy and sleepy at the time of the allegation, s/he had used words like molestation and rape and disclosed a history of previous molestation. Nurse #1 stated that the patient was not able to name or describe the staff members who had allegedly hurt him/her. The nurse further stated that, although Patient #1 refused to talk further about the alleged treatment by staff at that time, s/he did again, on 11/13/12, verbalize the same concern about the alleged mistreatment by staff 3 days earlier.

Per interview, at 8:13 on 4/9/13, the Risk Manager confirmed that, although they did report to the SA, the report was not made until until 11 days following the allegation, on 11/20/12.