Failure to Ensure Resident Dignity Due to Disrespectful Staff Conduct
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to ensure a dignified care environment for a resident with diagnoses including depression, anxiety disorder, cognitive communication disorder, muscle weakness, and dysphagia. The resident, who had mild cognitive impairment and required substantial to maximal assistance with activities of daily living, reported that a Certified Nurse's Aide (CNA) spoke to her in a disrespectful manner when she requested assistance. The CNA allegedly told the resident that staff did not like her because she needed to use the bathroom frequently and indicated that staff were upset about her being wet often. This interaction made the resident feel like a burden and caused her emotional distress, as she expressed not wanting to be around people who did not like her. The facility's grievance log documented the resident's complaint about the CNA's conduct, noting that the CNA was repeatedly rude. The resident council also reported concerns about the resident being bullied by the CNA and noted that the facility did not discuss the impact of the incident with the resident. Staff interviews confirmed expectations for respectful treatment of residents and ongoing training on resident rights and dignity. The facility's policy required all residents to be treated in a dignified manner and for staff to receive ongoing education on these topics.