Resident Dignity Violated During Personal Care by CNA
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) failed to treat a resident with respect and dignity during direct personal care. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and multiple complex diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, vascular dementia with agitation, delusional disorder, and other significant medical conditions, became agitated and combative during a linen change. During this episode, the CNA held the resident's hands down on his chest to prevent him from hitting staff, despite being told multiple times by another staff member to stop. The facility's policy requires that all residents, including those with cognitive impairments, be treated with dignity and sensitivity, and that staff address the root causes of behaviors rather than physically restraining or contradicting residents. The incident was witnessed by another CNA, who intervened and reported the misconduct immediately. Interviews with facility leadership and staff confirmed that the resident's rights and dignity were violated during the incident, and that holding a resident's hands or restraining them in this manner is unacceptable. The resident's medical record indicated a need for maximum assistance with personal care and a history of combative behaviors, but staff are expected to respond appropriately without compromising the resident's dignity.