Failure to Protect Residents from Verbal and Physical Abuse
Penalty
Summary
A staff member failed to treat a resident with respect and free from verbal and physical abuse, as evidenced by a witnessed verbal altercation between a resident and a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA). The GNA was overheard yelling and cursing at the resident, refusing to leave the resident's room until a supervisor intervened and separated them. The resident reported that the GNA was yelling because the resident did not want to see pictures on the phone about previous staff and wanted the GNA to leave. The incident was witnessed and documented in the facility's investigation packet. In a separate incident, another resident reported that a male GNA was rough during incontinent care, causing pain, and held a feces-soiled washcloth close to the resident's face, asking if the resident wanted to stay like that. The resident reported the incident to the Unit Manager, who confirmed being told about rough care but not about the washcloth. The GNA admitted to being told he was hurting the resident but denied causing pain and continued care. The DON was unaware of the incident until informed by surveyors and later confirmed the GNA's behavior as inappropriate.