Resident Subjected to Verbal Abuse During Transfer
Penalty
Summary
A resident with Alzheimer's disease and severe cognitive impairment was subjected to verbal abuse by a staff member during a transfer to bed. The incident occurred when the resident became combative, causing a walker to be pushed over and nearly resulting in a staff member falling. During the transfer, the resident's knee was caught under the bedrail, and after being alerted by another staff member, the staff member in question moved the rail and made a disparaging remark to the resident, stating, "That's what your bratty [curse word] gets." The same staff member also made a sarcastic comment, "See, you lived," after the resident complained of leg pain. These comments were made in a sarcastic and giggling manner, as observed by another staff member present during the incident. The facility's policy strictly prohibits all forms of abuse, including verbal abuse, and defines it as the use of language that includes disparaging or derogatory terms directed at residents. Interviews and witness statements confirmed that the staff member's remarks were inappropriate and met the facility's definition of verbal abuse. The resident, due to severe cognitive impairment, was unable to recall the specifics of the incident but did remember that something mean was said. The incident was reported by a witness to the charge nurse, and the facility's investigation substantiated the occurrence of verbal abuse based on their policy.