F0600

D

Failure to Protect Resident From Verbal Abuse by GNA

Baltimore, Maryland Survey Completed on 02-26-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

Facility staff failed to ensure a resident was free from verbal abuse when a GNA told Resident #1 to "shut up." The incident occurred during the 3:00 pm–11:00 pm shift on 10/02/25, but was not reported until 10/05/25 during the 7:00 am–7:00 pm shift, when Resident #1 informed an LPN Unit Manager. At the time of the incident, the GNA was working but assigned to a different unit than where the resident was located, and the alleged perpetrator was allowed to complete the shift. Resident #1, who had a BIMS score of 15/15 as of 09/30/25, later provided a statement to the Administrator confirming that a GNA told them to shut up, adding that the GNA apologized and that the resident did not think it was meant in a harmful way, though they were surprised.

During the survey, review of the GNA’s employee record showed she had completed abuse and dementia training and had an active GNA certificate with a clear background check. In an interview, the GNA confirmed she told the resident to "calm down and shut up" while the resident was complaining about the facility, acknowledging that, based on the resident’s reaction, it was verbal abuse. She stated she did not intend it in a bad way and attributed her wording partly to her culture, explaining she was encouraging the resident to calm down and look inward. She did not report the resident’s concerns or the incident to a nurse or supervisor. The DON later stated they learned of the allegation via a supervisor’s phone call and described the situation as a cultural misunderstanding, but the investigation documentation did not include mention or a statement from another GNA who, according to both the DON and the resident, was present in the room during the incident and observed the exchange.