§483.10(j) Grievances. §483.10(j)(1) The resident has the right to voice grievances to the facility or other agency or entity that hears grievances without discrimination or reprisal and without fear of discrimination or reprisal. Such grievances include those with respect to care and treatment which has been furnished as well as that which has not been furnished, the behavior of staff and of other residents, and other concerns regarding their LTC facility stay.
§483.10(j)(2) The resident has the right to and the facility must make prompt efforts by the facility to resolve grievances the resident may have, in accordance with this paragraph.
§483.10(j)(3) The facility must make information on how to file a grievance or complaint available to the resident.
§483.10(j)(4) The facility must establish a grievance policy to ensure the prompt resolution of all grievances regarding the residents' rights contained in this paragraph. Upon request, the provider must give a copy of the grievance policy to the resident. The grievance policy must include: (i) Notifying resident individually or through postings in prominent locations throughout the facility of the right to file grievances orally (meaning spoken) or in writing; the right to file grievances anonymously; the contact information of the grievance official with whom a grievance can be filed, that is, his or her name, business address (mailing and email) and business phone number; a reasonable expected time frame for completing the review of the grievance; the right to obtain a written decision regarding his or her grievance; and the contact information of independent entities with whom grievances may be filed, that is, the pertinent State agency, Quality Improvement Organization, State Survey Agency and State Long-Term Care Ombudsman program or protection and advocacy system; (ii) Identifying a Grievance Official who is responsible for overseeing the grievance process, receiving and tracking grievances through to their conclusions; leading any necessary investigations by the facility; maintaining the confidentiality of all information associated with grievances, for example, the identity of the resident for those grievances submitted anonymously, issuing written grievance decisions to the resident; and coordinating with state and federal agencies as necessary in light of specific allegations; (iii) As necessary, taking immediate action to prevent further potential violations of any resident right while the alleged violation is being investigated; (iv) Consistent with §483.12(c)(1), immediately reporting all alleged violations involving neglect, abuse, including injuries of unknown source, and/or misappropriation of resident property, by anyone furnishing services on behalf of the provider, to the administrator of the provider; and as required by State law; (v) Ensuring that all written grievance decisions include the date the grievance was received, a summary statement of the resident's grievance, the steps taken to investigate the grievance, a summary of the pertinent findings or conclusions regarding the resident's concerns(s), a statement as to whether the grievance was confirmed or not confirmed, any corrective action taken or to be taken by the facility as a result of the grievance, and the date the written decision was issued; (vi) Taking appropriate corrective action in accordance with State law if the alleged violation of the residents' rights is confirmed by the facility or if an outside entity having jurisdiction, such as the State Survey Agency, Quality Improvement Organization, or local law enforcement agency confirms a violation for any of these residents' rights within its area of responsibility; and (vii) Maintaining evidence demonstrating the result of all grievances for a period of no less than 3 years from the issuance of the grievance decision.
|
Observations: Based on observations, resident and staff interviews the facility failed to ensure that required state hotline information and grievance postings were consistently displayed, readable, and accessible to all residents throughout the facility on 6 of 6 units observed (Front Lobby, and Nursing Unit 300, 400, 500, 600, and 700).
Findings Include:
On September 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. 09/02/2026, a tour with the Social Worker Director (E7) tour was conducted on all units, and the following observations were made:
In the hallway before entering the 300 unit, the resident bulletin board did not have the state phone number posted. Unit 300 had no state posting available and no grievance forms accessible.
Unit 400 did not have the state number posted and had no information about the grievance officer.
Units 600 and 500, the state number was posted; however, the font was not readable, and it was not placed at a wheelchair-accessible height.
700 had no state number posted. According to the Social Worker (E7), this unit serves short term residents admitted for rehabilitation services.
The front lobby did not have any phone numbers posted.
On September 2, 2026, at 10:30 a.m., a resident council meeting was held with six alert and oriented residents (Residents R71, R116, R175, R189, R197, and R214). The residents reported that they were not aware of the location of the state phone number posting. Resident R214 requested that the phone number be provided to him/her due to not knowing where the state number was posted.
28 Pa. Code 201.14 (a) Responsibility of licensee.
| | Plan of Correction - To be completed: 09/18/2026
- The State hotline's information and facility's grievances postings were placed and made accessible to residents on all nursing units and at the front desk. - An audit was completed to assure the state hotline and grievance posting information was posted and accessible to residents on nursing units and at the front desk. - The Regional Administrator educated the Administrator on the requirements of posting the state hotline and grievance information at a accessible level to residents. - The SSD/or designee will audit the nursing units and front desk area weekly x4, then monthly x2 to ensure the state hotline and facility's grievance posting is displayed and accessible to residents. Findings of the audits will be reported to QA monthly x3.
|
|