Failure to Protect Resident from Verbal and Emotional Abuse by LPN
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to protect a resident from verbal and emotional abuse when an LPN yelled at the resident to "shut up" multiple times, with the LPN's face in close proximity to the resident. This incident was witnessed by a CNA, who reported that the LPN entered the resident's room while the resident was screaming and proceeded to yell at the resident, stating, "Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! I'm not dealing with this tonight!" The resident was assessed as having cognitive impairment, including diagnoses of dementia, anxiety disorder, depression, bipolar disorder, psychotic disorder, and schizophrenia. The resident's care plan indicated the need for staff to monitor for non-verbal signs of pain or distress, use brief and consistent communication, and provide a safe environment. The facility's policy prohibits any form of abuse, including verbal and emotional abuse, and defines abuse as the willful infliction of injury, intimidation, or punishment resulting in physical harm, pain, or mental anguish. During interviews, the administrator confirmed that the resident appeared physically distraught when discussing the incident. The LPN denied yelling at the resident but admitted to being short with staff that night. Documentation and staff statements consistently described the LPN's behavior as verbally abusive toward the resident.