Staff-to-Resident Abuse Incident Involving LPN
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with severe cognitive impairment, dementia, and other medical conditions was subjected to staff-to-resident abuse. The resident, who required significant assistance with daily activities and had a history of rejecting care and exhibiting physical and verbal behaviors, was involved in an incident where an LPN slapped him in the face. This event was witnessed by multiple staff members, and the resident immediately reacted by holding his cheek and questioning why he was slapped. The incident was further corroborated by staff statements describing the LPN's aggressive response after the resident spat at him, including verbal threats and physical retaliation. The facility's records and staff interviews revealed that the LPN became confrontational after the resident spat at staff, making threatening remarks and ultimately striking the resident with an open hand, causing the resident's head to move and his face to turn red. Other staff present in the room attempted to comfort the resident following the incident. The LPN denied the action, but the investigation substantiated the abuse based on consistent staff accounts and the resident's immediate response. The facility's policy prohibits all forms of abuse, neglect, and mistreatment, and requires immediate reporting and investigation of such incidents. In this case, the abuse was reported to administration, and a full investigation was conducted, including interviews and assessments of other residents. The incident was also reported to the appropriate authorities as required by policy.