Failure to Protect Resident from Physical Abuse by Another Resident
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of diabetes mellitus with diabetic neuropathy, essential hypertension, hyperlipidemia, heart failure, and carcinoma of the oral cavity, and who was cognitively intact as indicated by a BIMS score of 15, reported being physically assaulted by another resident. The incident involved the other resident approaching and grabbing the resident around the neck without provocation. Two other residents witnessed the event and confirmed the physical contact. The assaulted resident did not report pain or injury at the time of assessment and expressed feeling safe and wishing to remain at the facility. The Director of Nursing confirmed being informed of the altercation, which resulted in the discharge of the aggressor from the facility. Facility documentation of the incident noted no visible injuries or complaints of pain. The facility's abuse prevention policy states a commitment to protecting residents from abuse by anyone, including other residents. Despite this policy, the incident demonstrates a failure to ensure that the resident was free from abuse.