Failure to Protect Residents from Verbal and Physical Abuse by CNA
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect two residents from verbal abuse and intimidation by a certified nursing assistant (CNA). One resident reported that the CNA was cross and impatient, accusing her of intentionally sliding down in bed, which the resident found upsetting. Another resident described the CNA as verbally rude, refusing to assist with moving a bed to retrieve a remote control, and displaying hostile behavior when asked for milk by slamming it down and leaving the room abruptly. Later, the second resident recounted an incident where, after a call light was activated, the CNA raised her voice and sounded belligerent toward the first resident. The second resident, feeling unsafe, attempted to leave the room but was physically restrained by the CNA, who grabbed her wrists and pushed her back into the room. The CNA then took the resident's phone away when she tried to call her son, leaving the resident visibly shaken. The resident reported her fear to a registered nurse (RN), who assured her that the CNA would not return that night. The clinical record for the second resident indicated she was cognitively intact and had significant cardiac diagnoses, including left bundle branch block, atrioventricular block, and atherosclerotic heart disease. Documentation confirmed that the resident was upset and shaken after the altercation, though no physical injuries were observed. The facility's policies guarantee residents the right to be free from all forms of abuse, including verbal and physical abuse, but these rights were not upheld in this instance.