Failure to Provide Dignified and Respectful Care During Mechanical Lift Transfer
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a compression fracture of the second lumbar vertebra, who was cognitively intact and required a mechanical lift for transfers, reported being treated without dignity during care. The resident alleged that a nursing assistant (NA) performed a transfer in a rude and hurried manner, causing the resident's legs to hit each other and resulting in pain. The NA was also reported to have attempted to remove the resident's pants without first removing her shoes, further contributing to the resident's discomfort. Another NA present during the transfer confirmed that the mechanical lift was operated in a jerky, rushed manner, causing the resident to cry out in pain, and intervened to slow down the process. The incident was reported to both a nurse and the facility administrator. Staff interviews and documentation indicated that the resident was alert, oriented, and able to direct her own care. The second NA, who assisted during the incident, did not observe any new bruising or visible injuries following the event. The nurse who received the report from the second NA confirmed that the first NA had not treated the resident in a caring manner and had used the mechanical lift in a hurried fashion. The administrator was notified, and the incident was documented as an allegation of abuse, though the facility's investigation did not substantiate abuse. The deficiency centers on the failure to provide care in a dignified and respectful manner, as evidenced by the resident's experience and corroborating staff accounts.