Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity and Respect by Agency Nurse Aide
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of atrial fibrillation, congestive heart failure, and encephalopathy, and who was identified as having intact cognition but experiencing mood disturbances, reported being treated in an undignified manner by an agency nurse aide during the night shift. The resident described that the nurse aide entered the room without a name badge, responded with a false name when asked, and made comments perceived as rude, including referencing the resident's personal items on the bed and suggesting the resident should have cleaned up. The resident also reported that the nurse aide made a comment about race, asking if the resident disliked her because of her voice or because she was black. The resident became upset, asked the nurse aide to leave, and subsequently reported the incident to the night shift nurse supervisor. Other residents and staff provided varying accounts of the incident. A nearby resident reported hearing an argument and the resident expressing that the nurse aide was hurting and being rude, while the nurse aide denied making disrespectful comments and stated that the resident was argumentative. The nurse aide also acknowledged asking the resident if race was a factor in their interaction. The nurse supervisor confirmed that the resident reported the incident and that the nurse aide did not have another staff member accompany her, despite the resident's care plan indicating a need for two staff due to a history of accusatory statements. The resident's roommate did not recall hearing any verbal abuse or rude behavior. Facility policies require staff to treat residents with dignity and respect, and to speak respectfully at all times. The incident demonstrated a failure to uphold these standards, as the resident was not treated in a dignified manner by the agency nurse aide, and the staff did not ensure adherence to the resident's care plan regarding the presence of two staff members during care.