Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Meal Assistance
Penalty
Summary
Nurse Aide #3 placed a meal tray at the bedside of a cognitively impaired, non-verbal resident with Alzheimer's dementia and dysphagia, who was dependent on staff for feeding assistance. The meal tray was placed within the resident's sight but out of reach, and no setup was provided. Nurse Aide #3 then left the room and did not return for 40 minutes, during which time no staff entered to assist the resident with eating. Upon returning, Nurse Aide #3 attempted to feed the resident cold food that had been left out during this period. Interviews revealed that there were three residents on the hall requiring staff assistance with feeding, and typically three nurse aides would handle these tasks. However, on this occasion, an agency nurse aide was present but was not informed of the need to assist with feeding. Both Nurse Aide #3 and Nurse Aide #4 acknowledged the lapse in communication and failure to delegate feeding responsibilities. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the delay in feeding and the attempt to serve cold food were inappropriate and did not maintain the resident's dignity.