Failure to Prevent Physical and Verbal Abuse During ADL Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when facility staff failed to protect a resident from physical and verbal abuse during activities of daily living (ADL) care. The incident involved a certified nursing assistant (CNA) who was reported by a resident to have entered his room, spoken to him in a rude and dismissive manner, and subsequently used derogatory language. The resident described the CNA as being physically rough, including grabbing and throwing his leg, making inappropriate sexual comments, and hitting him on the chest, stomach, and arm. The resident repeatedly asked the CNA to leave, and the abusive behavior ceased only when his roommate intervened by opening the curtain. Two other residents in the shared room provided corroborating accounts. One resident stated he heard the CNA yelling and cursing at the resident and witnessed the CNA moving the resident's legs roughly. Another resident reported hearing yelling between the CNA and the resident but did not witness the physical interaction. Both residents expressed concerns about staff behavior, with one indicating a general fear of abuse by staff members. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that the incident was reported to the administrator and that the CNA in question was identified and suspended pending investigation. The resident involved was found to be cognitively intact, as were the other residents in the room. The facility's abuse policy prohibits all forms of abuse, including physical and verbal abuse, but the care plan for the resident was not updated with new interventions following the incident. Documentation shows that the incident was reported to the medical director and the resident's family, and the facility's protocol was followed after the allegation was made.