Verbal Abuse of Resident During Transfer
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA) verbally abused a resident during a transfer using a Hoyer lift. The resident, who was cognitively intact and had significant physical disabilities including quadriplegia and contractures, reported feeling scared and hurt when the CNA stopped her mid-air during the transfer and began yelling at her. The CNA told the resident that no one liked to work with her or provide her care, which was confirmed by another CNA present in the room. A third CNA heard yelling from the hallway and entered the room to assist after being asked by the second CNA. The facility's policy defines abuse to include verbal abuse and intimidation that results in mental anguish. Documentation in the resident's clinical record and staff interviews corroborated the incident, with the resident expressing emotional distress and the CNA admitting to raising her voice and acting out of line. The incident was also documented in a Report of Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse and in the CNA's employee file, which noted misconduct and failure to maintain acceptable standards of respect for residents.