Failure to Ensure Residents' Right to Dignity and Respect by Nursing Staff
Penalty
Summary
Licensed nursing staff failed to treat residents with dignity and respect, as evidenced by multiple reports from both residents and staff. One resident reported that a night shift LPN raised her voice, spoke in a demeaning and intimidating tone, and argued with her about taking a newly prescribed medication that was causing stomach upset. The resident described feeling talked down to, afraid, degraded, and intimidated. The resident's roommate confirmed the LPN's loud and intimidating behavior, describing the interaction as uncalled for and rude. Another resident, who is a former CNA, also reported that the same nurse spoke to residents in a rough tone, used her authority to intimidate, and treated them like children, which she deemed inappropriate for the setting. Staff interviews further corroborated these concerns. A CNA reported that the LPN had spoken to her in a demeaning and vulgar manner, including the use of profanity and insults, leading the CNA to avoid working with the nurse. The facility scheduler confirmed that the CNA, who rarely complains, reported being verbally abused by the LPN during a night shift. Both the Administrator and the DON acknowledged that all residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. The residents involved were cognitively intact, as indicated by their BIMS scores, and had medical histories including hemiplegia, hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, and acute on chronic systolic congestive heart failure.