Failure to Protect Residents from Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect residents' rights to be free from verbal abuse, as evidenced by multiple incidents involving two residents. One resident, diagnosed with Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Disorder, Anxiety Disorder, and Insomnia, exhibited behaviors such as attention seeking, repetitive questions, invading personal space, and making inappropriate comments. Another resident, diagnosed with Bipolar Disease, Anxiety, and Mild Cognitive Impairment, displayed behaviors including agitation, verbal outbursts, mocking, yelling, and making false allegations. Staff interviews confirmed that the second resident verbally threatened the first resident, including yelling expletives and making threats of physical harm. Staff also reported that the second resident frequently told the first resident to "shut up and go away." The care plans for both residents documented their behavioral challenges and the need for staff intervention to protect the rights and safety of others. Despite these documented needs, the facility did not prevent or adequately address the verbal abuse occurring between the residents. The administrator confirmed that the threats made constituted verbal abuse and acknowledged that the first resident's behaviors placed her at risk for such abuse. The deficiency was identified through interviews and record reviews, which demonstrated a failure to uphold the facility's abuse policy and protect residents from verbal abuse.