Failure to Immediately Remove Staff After Abuse Allegation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of physical abuse involving a resident was thoroughly investigated and that appropriate protective measures were taken. On 4/09/2025, a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) admitted to tapping a resident's hand during care when the resident was combative, resulting in a reddened area and subsequent bruising. The CNA self-reported the incident to an LPN, who observed the injury and notified a Registered Nurse (RN). Despite the facility's policy requiring immediate removal of staff accused of abuse from resident care, the CNA was allowed to finish their shift and continued to work the following overnight shift, although they were removed from direct care of the affected resident for the remainder of the initial shift. Interviews revealed that the LPN was concerned for the safety of other residents and attempted to monitor the CNA throughout the shift. The Director of Nursing and Administrator were not notified of the incident until the following day, at which point the CNA and involved staff were suspended and later terminated. The facility's failure to immediately remove the CNA from resident care and to promptly notify appropriate leadership constituted a violation of their abuse prohibition policy and regulatory requirements.