Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity During Verbal Altercation
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to treat a resident in a dignified manner during a dinner service. The resident, who was cognitively intact as indicated by a BIMS score of 14 out of 15, reported that a dietary cook yelled at him, argued, slammed a door, and used profane language when he requested a sandwich. The incident was reported to the administrator, and the resident expressed that the event made him feel disrespected and affected him for some time. The resident also stated that no one had previously asked him how the incident made him feel. Interviews with staff revealed that the director of discharge planning/social services was not aware of the incident and did not document any psychosocial assessment or trauma-informed screening for the resident involved. The administrator confirmed that yelling at a resident is not treating them in a dignified manner. Facility policy states that residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. No documentation was provided to show that the resident's psychosocial needs were assessed or addressed following the incident.