Failure to Timely Report Suspected Abuse and Aggressive Staff Behavior
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to report suspected and observed abuse of six residents by a Certified Nurse's Aide (CNA). Multiple staff members witnessed or were aware of aggressive, verbally abusive, and unprofessional behavior by the CNA toward residents, including making derogatory comments about a resident's hygiene, speaking harshly to residents, and attempting to physically force a resident out of bed against his will. Witness statements documented that the CNA made repeated negative remarks about a resident's smell, yelled at another resident, and was generally snappy and cold toward residents during care routines. Other staff, including a Certified Medication Aide (CMA), another CNA, and a Licensed Nurse (LN), observed or were informed of these incidents but did not immediately report them to administration as required by facility policy and their training on abuse, neglect, and exploitation (ANE). Some staff expressed uncertainty or minimized the incidents, with one stating she thought it was an isolated event and another not wanting to create conflict with a coworker. The lack of timely reporting delayed the facility's awareness and response to the suspected abuse. The residents involved included individuals who were not alert and oriented, and some were visibly upset or verbally expressed distress during or after the incidents. Staff statements and facility documentation confirmed that the required immediate reporting of suspected abuse to administration and authorities did not occur as mandated by policy, resulting in a deficiency related to the timely reporting of suspected abuse, neglect, or theft.