Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity and Respect Due to Inappropriate Staff Language and Conduct
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to treat two residents with dignity and respect, as evidenced by staff interactions and language used during care. One resident, with no cognitive impairment and a history of psychiatric diagnoses including depression, anxiety, and paranoid personality disorder, was involved in an incident where she became stuck in her wheelchair at a hallway threshold. After staff attempted to assist, the resident threw a urine-soaked pad at a CNA and used derogatory language. In response, the CNA told the resident to get her 'f***ing hands off me' after being pinched, and the resident scratched another staff member. The staff's use of profanity and the manner in which the situation was handled did not align with the facility's policy on promoting dignity and respect. Another resident, also cognitively intact and with multiple medical and psychiatric diagnoses, was subjected to inappropriate language from staff. An LPN overheard a CNA using profanity towards this resident through a baby monitor, stating 'f*** you too.' The LPN reported that this CNA frequently used inappropriate language in front of residents and had been previously addressed about this behavior. The CNA admitted to using stern language with this resident, stating she would not tolerate his 'BS,' though she denied using the full expletive. The Director of Nursing acknowledged awareness of the staff member's tendency to use inappropriate language and a stern tone, attributing it to staff stress and challenging resident behaviors. The facility's policy requires all staff to speak respectfully to residents and to promote and maintain resident dignity. The documented staff actions and language in these incidents were inconsistent with these expectations, resulting in a failure to honor residents' rights to dignity and respect.