Staff-to-Resident Verbal and Non-Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an environment free from staff-to-resident verbal and non-verbal abuse for two residents. In the first incident, a housekeeper used curse words and made a threatening gesture by raising a middle finger toward a resident in the resident's bedroom. The resident involved had diagnoses including congestive heart failure, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, morbid obesity, hypertensive heart disease with heart failure, difficulty walking, muscle weakness, and adjustment disorder with anxiety. The resident was assessed by nursing and social services following the incident, and no ill effects were noted at that time. In the second incident, a general nursing assistant verbally abused another resident and used derogatory comments while providing care. The resident had cognitive communication deficits, congestive heart failure, chronic kidney disease, and was documented as cognitively impaired with a BIMS score of 6/15. The resident was dependent on staff for emotional, intellectual, physical, and social needs. During care, the nursing assistant used profane language, including telling the resident to "kiss my ass" and "fuck you," and refused to assist with breakfast requests. Multiple staff statements and interviews confirmed the use of abusive language and inappropriate conduct toward the resident. Both incidents were reported by staff and confirmed through interviews and written statements. The facility's policies prohibit all forms of abuse, including verbal and mental abuse, and require immediate reporting of suspected abuse. The actions of the housekeeper and the nursing assistant were in direct violation of these policies, resulting in the documented deficiencies.