Neglect: Resident's Face Wiped with Feces-Contaminated Cloth
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a certified nurse assistant (CNA) used a washcloth that had been used to wipe feces from a bed pad to then wipe a resident's face. The resident involved had Alzheimer's disease and dementia, was cognitively impaired, and required extensive assistance with personal hygiene. The incident was witnessed by a housekeeper, who observed the CNA wiping feces from the bed and then using the same cloth on the resident's face, after which the resident was seen crying. Multiple staff statements confirmed the sequence of events. The housekeeper reported the incident to another CNA, who then informed an LPN. The CNA involved admitted to the action, stating it was accidental and attributed her distraction to personal distress. The LPN assessed the resident and found no injury or redness. The incident was reported to the DON and the administrator, and the CNA was immediately removed from the floor pending investigation. The facility's investigation substantiated that neglect had occurred. The CNA's actions were in direct violation of the facility's abuse, neglect, and exploitation policy, which prohibits such conduct and requires staff to prevent and report abuse or neglect. The incident was documented in a self-reported incident and corroborated by multiple staff witness statements and interviews.