Einstein Failed to Investigate Abuse Complaint

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

A complaint of patient abuse at the Einstein Medical Center in Montgomery County was not properly investigated, according to a report issued by the Pennsylvania Health Department.
The report, which was just made public states that the patient abuse complaint was filed in behalf of a patient on Aug. 29 of last year, yet when a state surveyor visited the facility in mid-December the only records available on the incident were unsigned, undated handwritten notes.
When the inspector asked for additional records including "documentation of signed and dated statements for all staff and witnesses who involved or who witnessed the alleged patient abuse. None were provided," the report states.
The document does not disclose the nature of the complaint or give any indication if it was substantiated.
Einstein also was faulted for failing to respond in writing within seven days to grievances filed by or in behalf of patient
The two examples of delayed response were the abuse allegation and another unspecified grievance by another patient.
lso cited by the state surveyors was the lack of documentary evidence that some patients were provided with a copy of a notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services stating the rights of covered patients at least two days before discharge.
The notice called An Important Message from Medicare.
Einstein officials did not respond to requests for comment.
In a plan of correction filed in response to the state report, the hospital said it was creating a new investigative team to look into all complaints charging patient abuse. The panel includes top hospital executives.
The facility also said it would set up audit procedures to ensure that responses to grievances are issued within the seven day time limit. The plan also calls for a series of re-training sessions to make staff aware of proper procedures in handling abuse complaints and other grievances.
Also cited by the state surveyors was the lack of documentary evidence that some patients were provided with a copy of a notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services listing the rights of covered patients at least two days before discharge.
The notice called An Important Message from Medicare.
In a plan of correction filed in response to the state report, the hospital said it was creating a new investigative team to look into all complaints charging patient abuse. The facility also said it would set up audit procedures to ensure that responses to grievances are issued within the seven day time limit. The plan also calls for a series of re-training sessions to make staff aware of proper procedures to handle abuse complaints and other grievances.
Also cited by the state surveyors was the lack of documentary evidence that some patients were provided with a copy of a notice from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services stating the rights of covered patients at least two days before discharge.
The notice is called An Important Message from Medicare.
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