Failure to Immediately Report Verbal Abuse Allegation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that an allegation of verbal abuse was reported immediately for one resident who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for care. On the first day of work, a CNA witnessed another CNA using foul and derogatory language toward the resident during care, which made the resident visibly distressed and prompted the witnessing CNA to leave her shift early. The CNA reported her concerns to the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) later that day via text message, rather than immediately notifying the floor nurse, social services, or other appropriate personnel as required by facility policy. Facility records show that the incident was not reported until several hours after it occurred, despite clear orientation training on abuse reporting procedures. The facility's policy mandates immediate reporting of abuse allegations to nursing, the Administrator, and Social Services to ensure prompt investigation and notification of necessary agencies. The delay in reporting was confirmed through interviews and documentation, and surveillance footage corroborated the account of verbal abuse occurring in the resident's room.