Resident Subjected to Physical Abuse by CNA During Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with severe cognitive impairment and a history of dementia, encephalopathy, and Parkinson's Disease was subjected to physical abuse by a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) during care. The incident took place while two CNAs were assisting the resident, who became combative and struck one of the aides. In response, the other CNA hit the resident on the arm. Documentation and staff statements confirmed the occurrence of the physical altercation, and the involved CNA was subsequently removed from the schedule. The resident's care plan identified them as being at risk for abuse due to dementia, but there had been no review or revision of the care plan since its creation. Further review revealed that the CNA involved in the incident had not received any abuse prevention training during their employment at the facility. Additionally, the Director of Nursing acknowledged that abuse and behavioral health education had not been provided to staff, and there was no staff educator in place to conduct such training. Both the attending physician and the medical director were not informed of the incident in a timely manner, despite expectations to be notified of all abuse allegations and incidents to ensure proper assessment and intervention.