Failure to Protect Resident from Mental and Verbal Abuse by CNA
Penalty
Summary
A resident admitted for short-term rehabilitation following a fall, with diagnoses including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, repeated falls, and macular degeneration, was found to be cognitively intact according to the Brief Interview for Mental Status. On the date of the incident, the resident required assistance with toileting and was unable to lock her wheelchair or pull down her pants due to weakness. The assigned CNA displayed impatience, made a disparaging comment about residents needing to help themselves, threw a clean brief at the resident, and left her to complete peri care and brief application without assistance. The resident reported feeling scared, weak, and emotionally distressed, crying during and after the incident, and continued to be affected by the event during the surveyor's interview. A review of statements from the resident's former roommate indicated a similar experience with the same CNA, who was described as rude and unsupportive, making comments about the resident's inability to walk to the bathroom. Another CNA reported that the resident was tearful and reluctant to accept help the day after the incident, and upon inquiry, the resident disclosed the previous day's mistreatment. The facility's abuse policy defines mental, verbal, and physical abuse, and the actions of the CNA were consistent with mental and verbal abuse as described in the policy. The facility terminated the CNA's employment following the incident.