Failure to Maintain Abuse-Free Environment for Resident
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of incontinence and requiring supervised smoking was involved in an incident where they defecated in the hallway and proceeded outside to smoke, despite being directed by staff to return indoors for cleaning. Multiple staff and resident statements indicate that an LPN confronted the resident outside, and after the resident refused to return inside immediately, the LPN grabbed the resident's chair, resulting in the resident sliding to the ground. Witnesses reported that the LPN then went inside, returned with a pitcher of water, and poured it over the resident, who was still on the ground. Several staff and residents described the resident as being soaked with water in areas inconsistent with incontinence, and the resident reported feeling humiliated by the LPN's actions and comments, which included making fun of the resident and showing photos of the incident to others. The LPN's own account differed, stating that the water was used to clean feces from the concrete and the resident's feet, and that the chair was grabbed to prevent the resident from falling backward. However, multiple witness statements contradicted this, describing the LPN's actions as punitive and disrespectful, including pouring water over the resident and making derogatory remarks comparing the resident to a pet. Staff also reported that the LPN showed photos of the resident's feces to other residents and laughed about the incident, further contributing to the resident's distress and humiliation. The resident involved sustained scrapes on their elbow, hip, and knee as a result of the incident and expressed emotional distress, stating they had never been treated in such a manner before. Other residents and staff who witnessed the event described the LPN's behavior as uncalled for and abusive. The incident was reported to facility administration, and statements were collected from all involved parties, documenting the sequence of events and the actions taken by the LPN that led to the deficiency in maintaining an abuse-free environment.