Resident Subjected to Verbal Abuse by Departing LPN
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including osteomyelitis, type 2 diabetes with diabetic polyneuropathy, and spinal stenosis was subjected to verbal abuse by a former staff member. The resident's care plan noted a tendency for verbal aggression when frustrated. On the day of the incident, the former Unit Manager, an LPN who had resigned, approached the resident at the nurse's station and used a disparaging term, calling the resident a 'piece of shit.' This interaction was witnessed by others, though they could not discern the exact words. The incident was reported by the resident, who also described previous dissatisfaction with the LPN's performance regarding pain medication and transportation arrangements. The facility's policy prohibits all forms of abuse, including verbal abuse, and requires an environment free from such behavior. The administrator confirmed that the LPN spoke inappropriately to the resident as she was leaving the facility after resigning. The event was reported to the state agency, and the facility's abuse prohibition policy was reviewed as part of the investigation. The deficiency centers on the failure to protect the resident from verbal abuse by a staff member.