Resident Subjected to Verbal Abuse by Physical Therapist During Therapy Session
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from verbal abuse during a therapy session. The resident, who had dementia, encephalopathy, sepsis, and required total assistance for daily care, was known to exhibit physical and verbal aggression and was resistive to care. Her care plan required staff to explain procedures, use diversional conversation, and stop care if the resident became combative, with a re-approach after a cooling-off period. During a therapy session, the physical therapist became impatient and verbally abusive when the resident resisted participation, raising her voice and making derogatory remarks about the resident to another staff member. Multiple staff members witnessed the therapist's escalating tone and frustration during the incident. The physical therapist insisted that the resident participate in therapy, citing insurance requirements, despite the resident's refusal and distress. The therapist's actions included increasing her volume, insisting the resident stand, and making inappropriate comments about the resident's behavior and her own frustration. The incident was reported by other therapy staff who were present and overheard the interaction, confirming the abusive behavior. The facility's failure to ensure the resident was free from abuse constituted a deficiency in compliance with abuse prevention policies.