Rhode Island Attorney General Peter F. Neronha announced that a former pediatrician from Pawtucket has been indicted on multiple counts of sexual assault against a resident he knew at an East Providence assisted living facility in May 2024.
On September 24, 2024, the Providence County Grand Jury returned an indictment charging the defendant, 73, with one count of first-degree sexual assault and one count of second-degree sexual assault. As alleged in court documents, the defendant is accused of sexually assaulting an older female resident in the memory care unit of the assisted living facility on May 20, 2024.
According to the facility, the defendant was not a physician on staff but was a family-approved guest. The assault was witnessed by an employee of the facility, who then reported it. Following the incident, the facility confronted the defendant and alerted the appropriate legal authorities. A no trespassing order was issued immediately. The facility then called medical professionals to tend to and evaluate the resident.
Following the alleged assault and investigation, the defendant relinquished his medical license. He is scheduled to be arraigned on October 2, 2024, in Providence County Superior Court.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Facilities must provide a safe resident environment and protect residents from abuse, including sexual abuse. Sexual abuse can be defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any type with a resident. For any alleged violation of sexual abuse, facilities must immediately implement safeguards to prevent further potential abuse, immediately report the allegation to appropriate authorities, conduct a thorough investigation of the allegation, and thoroughly document and report the result of the investigation of the allegation. Cases of physical or sexual abuse, for example by facility staff, visitors, or other residents, always require corrective action and tracking by the Quality Assessment and Assurance (QAA) Committee.
Discussion Points
- Review policies and procedures for preventing abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Ensure your policies include monitoring interactions not only between staff and residents, but also visitors. Update policies and procedures as needed.
- Ensure all staff receive appropriate abuse identification and prevention training during new hire orientation and at least annually thereafter. Include specific training on interactions with residents who have diminished mental capacities and emphasize the importance of monitoring visitor interactions. Train staff to report any suspected or observed incidents to a supervisor or through the Hotline immediately, and document the training in employees’ education files.
- Regularly review training records to confirm that all employees and agents of the facility receive abuse prevention training during orientation and annually thereafter. Include periodic audits of staff performance to ensure adherence to procedures for appropriate interactions with residents, with special attention to those with diminished mental capacities and how they are protected from potentially harmful visitor interactions.
*This news alert has been prepared by Med-Net Concepts, LLC for informational purposes only and is not intended to provide legal advice.*
