Failure to Treat Resident with Respect and Dignity
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including anxiety, depression, rib fracture, and hypertension, who was cognitively intact and required moderate assistance with activities of daily living, reported being treated in a disrespectful and undignified manner by a nurse aide. The incident occurred when the resident, after using a bedpan, activated the call light for assistance. Upon responding, the nurse aide made a derogatory comment, telling the resident to get off their 'lazy butt' and go to the bathroom. When the resident expressed offense, the aide replied that she spoke to her grandmother in the same way, to which the resident clarified that she was not her grandmother but a resident. The aide completed the care without further incident and left the room. The resident reported the incident to another nurse aide but initially did not want to escalate the matter. Documentation from nursing and social work staff confirmed the resident's account of the aide's rude behavior. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that the aide did not treat the resident with respect and dignity, which is contrary to the facility's policy requiring all employees to treat residents with kindness, respect, and dignity.