Failure to Honor Resident Dignity and Respect
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when staff failed to treat a resident with dignity and respect. The resident, who had diagnoses including depression and right knee pain, was assessed as moderately cognitively impaired with severe depression. On multiple occasions, staff entered the resident's room without knocking, despite the resident expressing that this behavior bothered him. During one observation, a CNA entered the room without knocking to check on the resident, who later confirmed that staff frequently entered without knocking and that it was upsetting to him. Additionally, a QMA interacted with the resident in a manner that was not respectful. When the resident inquired about his pain medications, the QMA responded in a sharp tone, questioned his understanding of his medication schedule, and threatened to record a refusal and discard his medication if he did not take it immediately. The resident became tearful and reported that staff often spoke to him disrespectfully, making him feel as though there was something wrong with him. Interviews with staff and facility leadership confirmed that the expectation was for staff to knock before entering and to treat residents with dignity and respect.