Resident Denied Food and Drink as Punishment by LPN
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident, who was moderately cognitively impaired and had diagnoses including hypertension, arthritis, and gastroesophageal reflux disease, was not treated with respect and dignity by a staff member. The incident began when the resident requested her cornbread, which had been saved from lunch, to be microwaved. An LPN agreed to do so and instructed the resident not to stand up while she was gone. Upon returning, the LPN observed the resident standing and, as a result, refused to give her the cornbread and milk, discarding both items in the trash. This action was witnessed by a CNA, who reported the event to her superiors. The resident later recounted the same sequence of events to the Social Service Director, and a facility document corroborated the details of the incident. The facility's policy on dignity requires that all residents be treated with respect and that their rights be protected and promoted. However, in this case, the LPN's actions—specifically, withholding food and drink as a consequence for the resident's movement and discarding the items—demonstrated a failure to uphold these standards. The incident was reported by both staff and the resident's relative, and documentation confirmed the resident's account of being denied food and drink in a manner that did not maintain her dignity.