Resident Subjected to Involuntary Seclusion by RN
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a registered nurse (RN) involuntarily secluded a resident by placing the resident in their room and holding the door shut, preventing the resident from leaving. The incident was witnessed by multiple staff members, who provided written and verbal statements confirming that the RN held the door closed while the resident, who was exhibiting exit-seeking behavior and escalating agitation, attempted to get out by kicking and yelling. The facility's policy, revised in March 2025, explicitly prohibits seclusion, defined as placing a resident alone in a room, and this action was in direct violation of that policy. The resident involved was described as being angry, yelling, and attempting to leave the facility, with staff unsuccessfully attempting to redirect the behavior prior to the seclusion. Staff accounts consistently indicated that the RN moved the resident to their room and physically held the door closed for a period of time, during which the resident was observed kicking the door from inside. The duration of the seclusion was not precisely determined, but staff confirmed the resident was confined against their will. The incident was reported to the Division of Licensing and Certification, and the RN was placed on leave pending investigation.