Resident Shaved Without Consent by CNA
Penalty
Summary
A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) shaved a resident's pubic hair without obtaining the resident's consent or consulting with licensed nursing staff. The resident involved had severe cognitive impairment, as indicated by a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 5, and was dependent on staff for toileting hygiene. The resident also had diagnoses of dementia, Parkinson's disease, anxiety, and depression. The CNA used the resident's personal beard shaver to perform the shaving during incontinent care, despite the resident not requesting this care and not being scheduled for any procedure that would require shaving. Another CNA witnessed the incident and later reported it to a licensed nurse, who then informed the Director of Nursing (DON) and Human Resources (HR). Interviews with staff confirmed that the CNA did not provide a reason for shaving the resident and that the resident appeared agitated during the incident. The facility's policies and job descriptions require CNAs to act under the supervision of licensed nurses and to respect residents' rights to informed consent and dignified care. The incident was reported internally, and the CNA acknowledged understanding that a violation had occurred. The failure to obtain consent and to follow proper procedures resulted in the resident not being treated with respect and dignity, as required by facility policy and patient rights.