Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity and Respectful Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were treated in a dignified manner, as required by resident rights policies. Multiple residents reported and staff confirmed that a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) engaged in unprofessional and disrespectful behavior towards residents. One cognitively intact resident reported being intentionally hit in the stomach and described the CNA as mean, while also stating that the CNA left a former roommate to wait for an hour before attempting to use the bathroom independently. Staff assignment records confirmed the CNA worked in the relevant hallway during the reported period. Another resident, also cognitively intact, required varying levels of assistance due to a femur fracture and was not assisted with toileting as needed. A third resident with severe cognitive impairment was spoken to in an unprofessional manner by the same CNA, as witnessed by another CNA who was also the resident's Power of Attorney. The CNA in question had a documented history of disciplinary actions for unprofessional conduct, including written warnings and suspensions for inappropriate language and actions with residents and their families, as well as failure to provide necessary assistance. Staff interviews corroborated ongoing concerns about the CNA's behavior, including rough handling and lack of responsiveness to resident needs. Despite these incidents and repeated reports to facility administration, the CNA continued to provide care to the affected residents. Facility policies emphasized the importance of respectful, prompt, and professional care, but these standards were not upheld in the cited cases.