Resident Subjected to Verbal and Attempted Physical Abuse by Staff
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident, who had diagnoses including unspecified fractures of the left humerus and femur, acute pain due to trauma, and adjustment disorder with anxiety, was not protected from abuse by staff. The resident was alert, oriented, and dependent on staff for personal hygiene and dressing. An altercation took place after the resident requested morning care at a specific time, leading to a confrontation with a nurse aide. During the incident, the nurse aide spoke to the resident in an inappropriate manner, swore at the resident, and attempted to throw objects at the resident while providing care to the resident's roommate. The nurse aide also attempted to physically hit the resident but was stopped by other staff members who witnessed the event. Interviews and clinical record reviews confirmed that the resident became upset and threw a cup at the nurse aide, who then retaliated verbally and physically by yelling, swearing, calling the resident inappropriate names, and attempting to throw a plastic basin at the resident. The incident was witnessed by other staff, who intervened and removed the nurse aide from the room. The facility's policy prohibits abuse of any kind, but in this instance, the resident was subjected to verbal and attempted physical abuse by a staff member.