Failure to Timely Separate Staff Accused of Abuse from Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promptly separate a staff member accused of abuse from dependent residents following an incident involving a resident during breakfast. According to documentation, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) was observed by a Registered Nurse (RN) repeatedly pushing a resident's hands away from his plate and eventually shoving his wheelchair away from the table before he finished his meal. The RN did not immediately report the incident to management, waiting until approximately 3:30 PM to notify the Administrator, despite the incident occurring at 7:30 AM. As a result, the accused CNA continued to work her shift and had contact with residents, including the resident involved in the alleged abuse, until she was suspended later that afternoon. Facility records, including time card data and staff interviews, confirmed that the CNA remained on duty from early morning until late afternoon, only being separated from residents after the allegation was reported to management. The facility's policy requires immediate action to prevent further potential abuse by separating the accused employee from residents upon receiving an allegation. However, this protocol was not followed, as the delay in reporting and subsequent action allowed the staff member to continue working with residents for several hours after the alleged incident.