Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity and Adequate Assistance Due to Staff Conduct and Insufficient Staffing
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors identified deficiencies in the facility's compliance with resident rights to dignity, respect, and quality of life, as evidenced by observations, record reviews, and interviews with residents and staff. One resident, who was cognitively intact, reported that several certified nurse aides were rude, had 'sharp' tongues, and sometimes ignored requests for help. The resident also stated that after complaining about a nurse's behavior, the nurse was terminated, but other staff continued to display similar negative attitudes and lack of care. Another resident, with chronic medical conditions and requiring a two-person mechanical lift for transfers, reported that due to insufficient staffing, they were rarely able to get out of bed and had not been offered the opportunity to do so for about ten days. The resident also stated that staff no longer asked if they wanted to get out of bed and that showers or tub baths were not provided due to the lack of available staff, resulting in infrequent bed baths instead. Staff interviews confirmed that only two to three aides were available for 40 residents, and that several residents did not get out of bed as a result. A third resident, with Parkinson's disease and mild cognitive impairment, was observed in a lethargic state, drooling, and with food smeared on their face, hands, and clothing while eating in a common area. The resident was not cleaned up after eating and was subsequently transported through public areas in this condition. Staff confirmed that care instructions were available to aides, and the DON stated that all residents should be treated with dignity and respect, but the observed care did not reflect this standard.