Failure to Protect Resident from Mental and Verbal Abuse
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was free from mental and verbal abuse. A cognitively intact resident reported that a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) was mean to her, including putting her to bed late and not answering her call light for assistance. The resident stated she reported these concerns to a supervisor and subsequently requested that the CNA no longer provide her care. Despite being instructed by the facility scheduler not to enter the resident's room, the CNA entered the room to confront the resident about the report, during which the resident alleged the CNA said, 'I will show you how mean I am,' and then slammed the door. The resident expressed feeling uncomfortable and did not want the CNA to care for her again. Interviews with staff confirmed that the resident reported the incident to another CNA, who relayed the resident's account of the confrontation and door slamming. The CNA involved admitted to entering the resident's room after being told not to, but denied making threatening statements or intentionally slamming the door. Facility policy defines mental and verbal abuse as conduct that causes or has the potential to cause humiliation, intimidation, fear, or degradation, including harassing or threatening residents. The events described were found to be inconsistent with the facility's abuse prevention policy.