Verbal Abuse of Cognitively Impaired Resident by CNA
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to protect a resident from verbal abuse when a CNA entered the resident's room during the night and repeatedly yelled at and mocked the resident. Video footage from the resident's room showed the CNA loudly confronting the resident about "leaving stuff alone" and questioning what the resident was doing. When the resident, who was experiencing delusional thinking about killing an animal, attempted to explain, the CNA loudly denied the resident's perceptions, repeatedly told the resident to leave things alone, and stated the resident had "no freaking clue" what they were doing or where they were. The CNA continued to argue with the resident, raised their voice, and ultimately yelled at the resident to go to sleep before slamming the door as they exited the room. The resident had a documented history of moderate cognitive impairment with diagnoses including unspecified dementia without behavioral disturbance, psychotic disturbance with hallucinations and delusions, and anxiety. The resident's care plan directed staff to calm the resident during distress related to decision making by talking slower and calmer, giving time to make decisions, and offering supportive measures such as contacting family. Instead of following these approaches, the CNA engaged in mocking and ridiculing behavior, used demeaning language, and failed to use calm communication techniques appropriate for a resident with dementia and psychotic symptoms. The administrator, DON, police officer, and the resident's responsible party all later characterized the CNA's behavior, as seen on the video, as verbal abuse toward the resident.
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