Verbal Abuse of Resident by Certified Nurse Aide
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a certified nurse aide verbally abused a resident during the early morning hours. The aide was witnessed by another resident yelling at the resident, stating that the world did not revolve around them and that they were not special, while also expressing frustration about having other residents to care for. The resident who was the subject of the yelling had diagnoses including congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes mellitus, and was documented as cognitively intact, alert, and oriented. The incident was corroborated by the resident's roommate, who observed the aide's loud and boisterous tone and described the aide as verbally nasty and overcorrecting during care. Multiple interviews with other residents and staff confirmed concerns about the aide's behavior. One resident expressed fear of the aide and described the aide as wanting residents to adapt to their routine. Another resident described the aide's attitude as unpleasant. Staff interviews, including those with an LPN, RN Unit Manager, social worker, and the Director of Nursing, all acknowledged that yelling at residents constituted verbal and mental abuse and was inappropriate. The resident affected by the incident reported feeling disappointed and hurt by the aide's actions. The facility's policies and state regulations require protection of residents from all forms of abuse, including verbal and mental abuse. The investigation confirmed that the aide's conduct was intentional, verbally abusive, and in violation of resident rights. The incident was documented and verified through resident statements, witness accounts, and staff interviews, establishing that the resident was not protected from verbal abuse as required.