Verbal Altercation in Resident’s Presence
Summary
The facility failed to ensure residents were treated in a respectful manner that maintained or enhanced dignity for one resident reviewed for dignity. The resident involved was a female with diagnoses including Alzheimer’s disease, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and delusional disorders. Her MDS assessment reflected severe cognitive impairment, and she was dependent on staff for eating, oral hygiene, toileting, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, and all transfers. Her care plan indicated she required assistance with all decision-making and total assistance with ADLs, including use of a Geri-chair for positioning and safety and a Hoyer lift for transfers. During an observation, CNA C was heard arguing with CNA A and CNA B in the hallway near the resident’s bedroom while the resident was present. CNA C stated she had not bathed the resident yet and became upset when CNA A and CNA B transferred the resident to a Geri-chair to prepare her for lunch. CNA C raised her voice, approached the resident, and loudly stated, “I will do it myself. I always do everything by myself,” while pushing the resident’s Geri-chair. CNA C continued arguing in a loud and aggressive tone with staff, including statements about always having issues with CNA B. RN D intervened and instructed CNA C to stop fussing and finish patient care with another resident, while CNA A and CNA B took the resident back to bed so she could receive her bed bath. Interviews with CNA A, CNA B, RN D, the DON, and the ADM confirmed the exchange occurred in the resident’s presence and that staff understood verbal altercations in front of residents were not acceptable. CNA A and CNA B stated they did not observe any physical or emotional reaction from the resident after the altercation. CNA C stated she was aware the resident was present and acknowledged she had been trained not to engage in confrontations in front of residents, though she denied yelling or being confrontational. The facility policy on dignity stated residents shall be treated with dignity and respect at all times and that dignity means assisting residents in maintaining and enhancing self-esteem and self-worth.
Penalty
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