Failure to Protect Resident from Physical Abuse During Care Request
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to protect a resident from physical abuse as required by its policies. A cognitively intact resident with arthritis and chronic kidney disease requested assistance from a CNA to apply cream to her knees. The CNA refused to assist, stating the resident could do it herself, and then physically took the resident's wrist and placed her hand on her knee. The resident reported feeling threatened and experiencing soreness in her wrist after the incident. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the CNA physically guided the resident's hand to her knee instead of providing the requested assistance. The facility's policy mandates zero tolerance for abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and requires staff to assist residents with tasks they are unable to perform independently. Despite the resident's need for partial assistance with personal hygiene, the CNA did not provide the requested help and instead engaged in physical contact that the resident perceived as threatening. The incident was reported by staff, and the resident confirmed feeling safe in the facility overall, but identified this as an isolated event where she felt threatened and experienced discomfort.