Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Feeding and Communication
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to treat residents in a dignified manner during mealtime assistance. A Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA) from a staffing agency was observed standing while feeding a resident and quickly shoveling food into the resident's mouth. In the same room, another resident was found sleeping in bed with their breakfast tray left covered on the bedside table. The GNA then approached the sleeping resident and repeatedly spoke in a harsh and loud tone, instructing the resident to wake up for breakfast. These actions were directly observed by the surveyor. Additionally, the same GNA was later seen standing while feeding another resident in the dining room, with another resident present at the same table. The Director of Nursing (DON) was informed of these observations, including the GNA's failure to sanitize hands between resident contacts. The DON acknowledged that the GNA's behavior was inappropriate and not in accordance with facility expectations.