Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity and Respect During Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a certified nursing assistant (CNA) failed to treat a resident with dignity and respect during care. The resident, who was totally dependent on staff for toileting and had multiple medical conditions including cellulitis, rectal abscess, hyponatremia, dysphagia, glaucoma, osteoarthritis, bilateral hearing loss, hypokalemia, high blood pressure, and a history of falls, reported feeling rushed and spoken to in a demeaning tone by the CNA. The resident, who had mild cognitive impairment but was able to make her own decisions, stated that the CNA expressed frustration about having to assist frequently and did not display kindness during care, leading the resident to feel angry, helpless, and emotionally hurt. The facility's policies require staff to treat residents with kindness, respect, and dignity at all times, and prohibit demeaning practices. Interviews confirmed that the CNA was task-focused, lacked self-awareness regarding her attitude, and did not provide the expected level of kindness during care. The Director of Nursing and the administrator both acknowledged that the CNA's behavior violated the resident's rights to dignity and respect.