Failure to Respond to Resident's Call for Help Due to Staff Cell Phone Use
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a nurse aide failed to respond to a resident's verbal calls for help and an activated call bell, instead choosing to use her personal cell phone at the nursing station. The resident involved had a history of left hip surgery and recent fractures, including a left acetabular fracture and a sacral ala fracture, and was admitted to the facility with moderate cognitive impairment. He required substantial to maximum assistance for mobility and was receiving pain medication for significant discomfort. On the day of the incident, the resident was heard yelling for help by a family member who was approaching the facility. The family member observed a staff member at the nursing desk engrossed in her personal phone, ignoring both the resident's calls and the activated call light. The call light remained unanswered for approximately 13 to 14 minutes, during which time the resident continued to call out for assistance. The family member eventually confronted the staff member, who did not respond to the resident's needs and instead cursed at the family member. Another nurse aide, passing by, noticed the situation and provided the necessary care to the resident, after which the resident's distress subsided. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that the nurse aide at the desk was using her personal phone and did not respond to the resident's needs, despite being aware of the call light and the resident's vocalizations. Other staff members corroborated that this behavior was not an isolated incident. The nurse aide in question admitted to being at the nursing station with her personal phone and did not attend to the resident, citing a confrontation with the family member as her reason for not responding. The incident was witnessed by other staff and reported to facility leadership.