Failure to Honor Resident's Right to Dignity and Respect During Medication Administration
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, major depressive disorder, and generalized anxiety disorder, who was cognitively intact, experienced a lack of respect and dignity from nursing staff. Physician orders specified that several morning medications were to be administered after breakfast, but the Medication Administration Record showed these medications were scheduled and offered at 7:00 A.M. On one occasion, the resident refused the medications at that time, stating he takes them after eating, as per his orders. The LPN responded that if the resident did not take the medications then, he would have to find the nurse later, and did not accommodate the resident’s preference or physician’s order. When the resident pointed out his medication schedule, another LPN responded dismissively, stating she did not have time to check every chart, and then left the room abruptly, slamming the door. The resident reported these interactions to the Administrator and the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON), expressing that he felt disrespected. The ADON confirmed the resident’s account, noting that the LPN involved was an agency nurse who had previously been placed on a do-not-return list due to attitude concerns, but was brought back by the new Director of Nursing (DON). The Regional Director of Operations also spoke with the resident, who stated he did not feel abused but did not feel respected. The facility’s policy affirms every resident’s right to be treated with respect and dignity, which was not upheld in this instance.