§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.
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Observations: Based on review of facility policy, posted documents, observations, resident and staff interviews, it was determined that the facility failed to make certain grievance/concern forms can be filed anonymously for all residents and/or their representatives on five of five locations where grievance/complaint forms are provided (four nursing units and the lobby).
Findings include:
A review of the facility policy "Grievances/Complaints, Filing" last reviewed 3/14/25, indicated grievances and/or complaints may be submitted orally or in writing and may be filed anonymously.
During an observation on 4/14/25 approximately 11:00 a.m. revealed no grievance boxes are available in the facility. Posted signage directs completed grievance/complaint forms be provided to social services, in the event the office is closed slide the document under the door.
During an interview on 4/14/25, at 11:30 a.m. the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that grievance boxes do not exist in the facility and confirmed the facility failed to make certain grievance/concern forms can be filed anonymously for all residents and/or their representatives on five of five locations where grievance/complaint forms are provided.
28 PA Code: 201.18(e)(4) Management.
28 PA Code: 201.29(a)(b)(c) Resident rights.
| | Plan of Correction - To be completed: 06/09/2025
The facility will install secure, locked grievance boxes in each of the five locations where forms are provided (four dining rooms and the lobby). Each box will be clearly labeled and placed in a visible, accessible location. New signage will also be posted to inform residents and representatives that grievance/concern forms may be submitted anonymously through these boxes. A facility-wide check confirmed that no such boxes currently exist. Staff will be re-educated on the grievance policy, including the right to file anonymously, by the Social Services Director. The Social Services Department will check the boxes weekly to collect submissions and ensure functionality. Random monthly audits will continue thereafter. The Nursing Home Administrator is responsible for ensuring the implementation of this correction and compliance.Secure, locked grievance boxes will be installed in all five designated locations (four dining rooms and the lobby). Each box will be placed in a location that is visible and accessible to residents and representatives but positioned to maintain privacy, such as near unit entrances or in recessed wall areas obscured from direct staff oversight. Boxes will be clearly labeled and signage will be updated to inform residents and families that grievances may be submitted anonymously.
On June 7, 2025, the Social Services Director provided an in-service training to the Administrator and Social Services staff responsible for grievance management. The training covered:
The policy and resident rights regarding grievance filing The importance of maintaining anonymity Protocols for monitoring and responding to submissions Training documentation is retained in the education file. To ensure timely attention to grievances, the Social Services Department will check each box daily, beginning June 9, 2025. A log will be maintained to document daily checks and response actions.
Additionally, monthly audits will be conducted to confirm:
Each box remains secure and in proper working condition Signage is in place and clear Daily check logs are complete and up to date Audit results will be reviewed in the QAPI meeting each month to support continued compliance.
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