Failure to Protect Resident from Abuse and Neglect
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to protect a resident with dementia, who was dependent on staff for transfers and had no behavioral issues, from abuse and neglect. The incident involved a nurse aide removing the resident's call bell, making it inaccessible, and refusing to assist the resident out of bed over a weekend. Documentation and witness statements confirmed that the resident repeatedly requested to get out of bed and that her call bell was intentionally moved out of reach. The resident verbally reported not having access to her call bell, and staff observed the call bell draped over the nightstand. Multiple staff members, including two nurse aides and an RN, were aware of the situation. One nurse aide admitted to removing the call bell, while another was aware of the action and did not intervene. The RN was informed by the aides that the call bell was moved to prevent the resident from bothering them due to their workload. The incident was not reported in a timely manner as required by the facility's abuse policy, and the investigation determined that the resident was not allowed out of bed and was left without access to her call bell.