Staff-to-Resident Physical and Verbal Abuse Incident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a staff member, specifically a Geriatric Nursing Assistant (GNA), was reported to have physically and verbally abused a resident. According to the facility's investigation, a Maintenance Assistant witnessed the GNA pull back their hand and strike the resident on the left shoulder with enough force to cause the resident to stumble into a wardrobe. The resident's roommate did not see the incident but heard the resident yell and a stumble. The GNA denied hitting the resident but admitted to saying, 'I'm going to bop you.' The resident later stated that the GNA hit them with a key holder because they were not dressed. The investigation also noted that the GNA had a history of tardiness and absences from work. Further interviews revealed conflicting accounts, with the Regional Director of Operations stating the investigation was inconclusive, as the resident gave differing statements about where they were struck and described the contact as a 'tap.' The Maintenance Assistant maintained that they witnessed the GNA strike the resident. The incident was reported to the Maryland Board of Nursing for further investigation. The deficiency centers on the physical and verbal abuse of a resident by a staff member, as witnessed and reported by another employee, and corroborated by the resident's statements and the roommate's account of hearing the incident.