Staff Cell Phone Use During Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
A staff member failed to follow the facility's employee handbook regarding cell phone usage by taking a personal phone call while providing care to a resident. The incident occurred during a shower provided to a male resident with paraplegia, diabetes mellitus type 2, convulsions, hypertension, cervical spinal cord injury, and colostomy status. The resident, who is cognitively intact and dependent on staff for lower body care, reported that the Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) used her cell phone, including FaceTime, during his shower. The resident did not report the incident to management due to anxiety and fear of triggering seizures, but did inform a family member. A Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) working that day confirmed observing the CNA using her personal phone and air pods while providing care to the resident. The LPN instructed the CNA to stop using her phone during patient care and reported the incident to the assistant director of nursing the following day. The CNA admitted to receiving an emergency personal phone call during the resident's shower, apologized to the resident, and acknowledged that she should not have been using her phone or air pods during patient care. The CNA denied being on FaceTime but confirmed the phone call was answered through her air pods. The Director of Nursing (DON) and the facility administrator both stated that staff are regularly informed not to use personal phones in resident areas and that staff are expected to step out of resident areas to answer personal calls. The facility's employee handbook prohibits the use of devices that obstruct or restrict hearing during working time, except for management-authorized use. Documentation confirmed that the CNA received a formal warning for unauthorized use of electronic devices on the unit during working hours.