Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity and Respect During Care
Penalty
Summary
Multiple residents experienced a lack of dignity and respect in their care, as evidenced by their direct statements and staff interviews. Three residents on the same nursing unit reported feeling degraded when requesting assistance, with one resident describing how certified nurse aides (CNAs) would enter the room, state they were not assigned to the resident, turn off the call light, and leave without providing help. This resulted in the resident waiting for extended periods, sometimes up to three hours, and being left in soiled conditions. The resident also reported witnessing CNAs argue about assignments in front of residents and being told directly that certain aides were not responsible for their care. Another resident, who was cognitively intact and independent in personal hygiene, recounted an incident where, after an episode of incontinence, three CNAs discussed the situation in an undignified and insensitive manner within earshot, making the resident feel objectified and dehumanized. The resident expressed that the staff acted as if they had not received proper training in providing sensitive care. A third resident, totally dependent on staff for toileting due to mobility restrictions, described being denied a bedpan by a CNA after a previous unsuccessful attempt, despite repeated requests. The CNA responded with sarcasm and ultimately refused to assist, resulting in the resident soiling the bed. The resident reported feeling humiliated and emotionally distressed by the staff's lack of compassion and failure to meet basic care needs. Staff interviews confirmed awareness of these issues and ongoing complaints about certain shifts, as well as acknowledgment that the care provided did not meet the facility's standards for dignity and respect.