Failure to Promote Resident Dignity During Care Interactions
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promote dignity and respect for three residents requiring assistance with activities of daily living. One cognitively intact resident reported being handled roughly by a nursing assistant, including having his legs thrown against the wall and being spoken to in a disrespectful manner. The resident's family member overheard the incident via phone, including staff using inappropriate language and physically spinning the resident in bed, which led to the resident requesting not to work with that staff member again. Another resident with moderate cognitive impairment and limited mobility was left sitting in a public area by the nurses' station in a wet brief and nightgown after requesting assistance for incontinence care. The nursing assistant told the resident that staff no longer provided toileting on demand and made the resident wait for rounds. The resident was also denied access to her phone during this time. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident was left in a public space in inappropriate attire and that the communication used by the nursing assistant was not appropriate and could be perceived as punitive or degrading. A third resident with moderate cognitive impairment and impaired mobility reported being struck on the legs by a nursing assistant while being awakened for dinner. The resident expressed distress about being handled roughly. Staff interviews confirmed that striking a resident to awaken them was not appropriate and that alternative, respectful methods should be used. The facility's own dignity policy requires all residents to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, which was not upheld in these incidents.