Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity and Respect Due to Staff Use of Inappropriate Language
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including Parkinson's Disease, anxiety disorder, major depressive disorder, and post-traumatic stress disorder, who was cognitively intact and required two-person assistance with activities of daily living, was not treated with dignity and respect. The resident's care plan and Kardex specified that staff should approach and speak to the resident in a calm, quiet manner. However, the resident reported that a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) used obscene and inappropriate language during an interaction, including profanities and derogatory remarks. This incident was corroborated by a housekeeper who overheard the CNA loudly using profane language inside the resident's room. Further interviews confirmed that the CNA admitted to responding to the resident with inappropriate language after being called names by the resident. The facility's investigation substantiated that the staff member was verbally inappropriate in the presence of the resident. The incident demonstrated a failure to honor the resident's right to a dignified existence and respectful communication, as required by the resident's care plan and facility policy.