Resident Subjected to Physical and Verbal Abuse by RN
Penalty
Summary
A resident with Alzheimer's Disease and Down Syndrome, who had moderate cognitive impairment and required moderate assistance with activities of daily living, was subjected to abuse by a registered nurse (RN). The RN, while performing a medication changeover at the nursing station, became frustrated with the resident's attempts to communicate and repeatedly asked other staff to move the resident away. Despite multiple attempts by staff, the resident refused to leave the area. The RN then yelled at the resident and physically attempted to push and pull the resident in her wheelchair down the hall, while the resident was visibly distressed, crying, yelling, and resisting by putting her feet down and grabbing the wheelchair wheels. Multiple certified nursing assistants (CNAs) witnessed the incident, describing the RN's actions as dragging the resident backwards in her wheelchair while the resident was kicking, screaming, and crying. Staff intervened to prevent further harm, and the RN left the situation after being confronted. The facility's abuse policy explicitly prohibits abuse or neglect of residents by anyone, including staff. The incident was substantiated as abuse following an internal investigation.