Minnesota
Home Care Facility Cited for Neglect Due to Resident’s
Repeated
Wandering Off
In accordance with the Minnesota Reporting of Maltreatment of Vulnerable Adults Act, and after a resident in a Minnesota home care facility repeatedly wandered outside and down the driveway towards the road, the facility was cited for neglect.
Last November the resident wandered out of the facility and was walking down a nearby highway when he was noticed by a passer-by. The police were called but could not locate the resident. After about two and one-half hours, the resident was found in a marshy area in a neighbor’s yard. He was wet and cold and described as being confused and delusional. The client refused to be taken to the hospital for evaluation.
The facility instituted hourly safety checks, but the resident continued to wander outside and down the driveway.
In January, the State’s Department of Health made an unannounced visit to the facility after receiving an alleged complaint of maltreatment. The investigators found that the facility was negligent in not providing adequate supervision of the resident to keep him safe from eloping, so the facility was given a citation.
Although during the investigation the facility’s management told the investigators that a Wander Guard system was too expensive, they now have one in place.
Compliance Perspective
Failure to ensure the safety of residents by adequate supervision or use of a monitoring alert system may be considered neglect and sub-standard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures to ensure systems are in place to prevent residents from leaving the facility unaccompanied.
- Train staff on assessing residents’ risk for wandering, prevention protocols, and systems that immediately alert staff about a resident’s elopement from the building.
- Periodically audit residents at risk of eloping to determine if they are being adequately monitored by staff, and if electronic monitoring systems are functioning properly.
