Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity and Respect
Penalty
Summary
A cognitively intact resident (R8) reported that staff failed to treat her with dignity and respect. According to the Minimum Data Set and nurse progress notes, the resident was observed crying and stated that staff were not listening to her, laughed at her, and made her feel sad. The resident also expressed a desire to leave the facility Against Medical Advice (AMA) due to these interactions. The resident recounted an incident where she was concerned about another resident who was screaming, and when she went into the hallway, the Director of Nursing (DON) was reportedly yelling and laughing at her. Additionally, the resident described having an abscessed tooth with significant facial swelling and stated that when she informed staff, including the DON and two LPNs, they yelled and laughed at her concerns. The facility's administrator acknowledged that staff should always treat residents with dignity and respect and recognized the need for staff to be more aware of their conversations when residents are present. The facility's policy, approved in December 2024, affirms each resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, and communication without interference or reprisal. The events described indicate that the facility failed to uphold these rights for the resident involved.