The Springdale Police Department called to report they are concerned about Perimeter of the Ozarks. Licensing was informed that last weekend during an elopement, the resident was located and staff refused to come to the hospital to pick up the resident. After threatening the staff with a citation, 2 to 3 hours later, the staff from Perimeter of the Ozarks showed up at the hospital. The Police Captain stated his officers were told by Perimeter staff that once a resident runs away, they are no longer responsible for them. The Captain was also concerned about the length of time it takes Perimeter staff to let them into the facility when they respond to a call.
Licensing narrative: 5/18/2023- Licensing requested the facility policy regarding what steps the facility takes when a resident elopes. The facility reports that the CEO has reached out to the Springdale Police Department and resolved the issues. The CEO has provided the Police Captain with her direct phone number in the event the department cannot reach staff when calling the facility’s main phone line. The CEO has also stated that the staff will be retrained on the facility’s procedures on bringing a resident who has eloped from the facility back to the building once they have been deemed safe to do so by either the police department or hospital physician. Licensing Specialist: Chelsea Vardell.