Resident Exposed to Undignified Staff Altercation at Nurses' Station
Penalty
Summary
Staff members, including two LPNs and the Dietary Manager, engaged in a loud verbal altercation at the nurses' station during shift change. The argument involved the use of profane and insulting language, with one LPN calling the dietitian derogatory names and using explicit language. The altercation was witnessed by other staff, including a CNA who attempted to intervene and de-escalate the situation. During this incident, at least one resident was present and seated by the nurses' station, within earshot of the argument. The facility's policy on resident privacy and dignity specifically instructs staff to avoid discussing private or personal issues in public and to refrain from using patronizing or insulting language. Despite this, the staff's conduct during the altercation failed to uphold these standards, resulting in a situation where a resident was exposed to undignified and inappropriate staff behavior.