Lack of Documentation for Verbal Abuse Allegation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain documented evidence regarding an allegation of staff-to-resident verbal abuse involving a resident with multiple diagnoses, including altered mental status, muscle weakness, and psychotic disorder. The resident's daughter reported that a CNA made an inappropriate comment in front of her mother, which caused the resident to become afraid and express a desire to go home. The daughter stated she informed the Administrator of the incident, but could not recall the specific date. A review of the resident's medical record and the facility's incident binder revealed no documentation of the alleged verbal abuse incident. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that the CNA was suspended during an investigation into the allegation and later reassigned to a different floor. The Administrator recalled the incident and stated that an investigation was conducted, but the documentation was unavailable as it was reportedly kept by a former Human Resources Director. As a result, there was no documented evidence to show that the facility had properly investigated or addressed the allegation of verbal abuse.