ALBUQUERQUE, NM-SPANISH TRAILS REHABILITATION SUITES

Based on record review and interview the facility failed to prevent misappropriation of residents money for 1 (R #3) of 1 (R #3) residents reviewed for exploitation/misappropriation of funds after a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) stole a residents money from his room. This deficient practice likely resulted in the resident feeling frustration and his personal belongings not being safe in his room.

The findings are:
A. Record review of facesheet revealed R #3 was admitted to facility on 06/22/22.
B. Record review of incident report dated 02/17/23 revealed: On 02/16/23 at 9:30 am, R #3 was counting his personal money in his room. R #3 left his room to get his pain medication. When R #3 returned to his room his money ($300.00) was missing. R #3 asked a housekeeper if anyone had gone into his room and it was discovered that it was [Name of agency Certified Nurse Aide ] (CNA) #1. CNA #1 was confronted and her staffing agency was contacted and informed of the theft and was told she would not be allowed to return to facility. CNA #1 admitted to taking the money and the money was returned to R #3.

C. Record review of Complaint Narrative dated 02/24/23 revealed allegation of abuse/neglect/exploitation was substantiated by facility. R #3 was in his room counting his money, he left his room to ask for his pain medication, when he returned to his room he noticed his $300.00 were missing. R #3 asked housekeeper if anyone went into his room. It was discovered that CNA #1 was observed in his room. CNA #1 was confronted and admitted to having the $300.00. CNA #1 returned the money and was immediately removed from the facility. Her staffing agency was contacted and informed of the theft and that she would not be allowed to return to the facility. CNA #1 provided a statement in which she said that what she did was stupid
and that she didn’t know why she took the money. She stated that she apologized to R #3.

D. On 06/09/23 at 9:39 am during an interview with Registered Nurse #1, when asked if she was aware of the incident that occurred on 02/16/23 with [name of with R #3] missing money, she stated, [Name of R #3] told me I caught my CNA taking my money. I asked how he knew that CNA took the money, he said I had my call light on but also needed pain meds (medication) so I left my room and left my money in the room and when I got back my money was gone. He also said he asked a housekeeper if anyone had gone into his room and she said no. He then wheeled down hallway and found CNA assigned to his hall and told CNA #1 to give me my money. He said he told her if you do give me my money back I won’t tell anybody. She took the money out from her pocket and gave it to him. I provided resident with a grievance form and helped him
fill it out and then turned into Administration.

E. On 06/09/23 at 8:58 am during an interview with Social Service Director (SSD), she stated, when residents personal belongings go missing it is put on a grievance form and it is brought up in the teams meeting and given to the appropriate department to investigate. If it is money that is missing it is reported to the Administrator. She was aware of the incident with R #3 and knew that the money had been returned to the resident and the agency CNA had been terminated immediately from the facility.

F. On 06/09/23 at 10:30 am during an interview with Regional Nurse Consultant, she stated, the facility was aware of the allegation and it had been reported to the State Agency and the allegation of an agency staff taking money from a resident [R #3] was substantiated and the money returned to the resident (R#3) and the CNA was let go from the facility immediately and staff had been in-serviced on misappropriation of funds. She further stated that residents will be encouraged to keep money in the Resident Trust Fund Account.