Resident Subjected to Emotional Abuse by Staff Member
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a cognitively impaired resident with dementia, anxiety, and agitation was subjected to emotional distress by a staff member. The incident involved a nurse aide who was observed holding a baby doll, which belonged to another resident, in front of the affected resident and repeatedly pulling it away as the resident reached for it. The nurse aide laughed at the resident during this interaction, despite the resident's visible distress, yelling, and anxiety. Multiple staff witnesses confirmed that the nurse aide prolonged the episode, teased the resident, and caused the resident to become visibly upset, with one staff member noting the resident had a red face and tears in her eyes. The facility's policy required that residents be protected from all forms of abuse, including mental and emotional abuse. Documentation and staff interviews indicated that the nurse aide was aware the doll did not belong to the resident and continued the behavior despite the resident's agitation. The incident was substantiated through investigation reports, clinical records, and multiple witness statements, all of which described the resident's emotional distress as a direct result of the nurse aide's actions.