Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity When CNA Used Profanity During Care
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves a failure to ensure a resident’s right to be treated with dignity and respect when a CNA used disrespectful and profane language in the resident’s presence. The facility’s Resident Rights policy, revised 10/01/21, states that residents have the right to be treated with dignity and respect. The affected resident had been admitted with a diagnosis including dislocation of the right ankle joint and, per the quarterly MDS dated 02/20/26, had intact cognitive skills, no documented behaviors, was dependent for toileting and personal hygiene, and required substantial/maximal assistance with showering. The resident’s care plan, reviewed 02/26/26, documented that the resident required extensive to total assistance with one to two staff for all ADLs and directed staff to use a calm, reassuring approach. On the evening of 02/14/26 at approximately 9:30 P.M., the resident reported that while being assisted to the bathroom with a sit-to-stand lift that was hard to turn, CNA F became frustrated with the equipment and cursed, using the “f” word, in the resident’s room. The resident stated they did not feel the CNA’s language was appropriate and felt the CNA used inappropriate language. The resident reported the incident to an LPN and the Social Service Director, who told the resident to inform the Administrator; the resident then went to the Administrator’s office and reported that the CNA was mad at the sit-to-stand lift and cursed. In interviews, the Administrator acknowledged receiving a delayed report that the resident thought the CNA was unprofessional and did not appreciate the language. CNA F stated that cursing around a resident is not respectful and is a form of abuse, and other staff, including another CNA, the DON, and the Administrator, all stated that staff should not curse around residents and that staff are expected to be respectful.
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