Certified Nursing Assistant Arrested, Three Others Terminated but Still Sought by Police
An Oklahoma nursing home recently notified local police that four of its employees had been terminated after it was discovered that they had been physically and sexually abusing some of the residents in their care.
The incidents were first reported by the girlfriend of one of the Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) after she was given his cell phone to use because her phone was not working. She said that she was looking through the photographs and discovered multiple pictures of residents being abused or having inappropriate pictures taken that compromised their right to privacy. There were also text messages detailing the abuse that was occurring.
The arrested CNA admitted to physically abusing residents, and he also told about other employees who he said were rather “sadistic” in their care of residents. He also said that one employee had misappropriated morphine intended for a resident for his own use.
The local police have identified seven residents who were victimized. Police indicate that along with the one CNA who was arrested on multiple counts of abuse and sexual exploitation, they expect to make several other arrests.
The nursing home’s administrator gave a statement to the media expressing outrage over the incidents and reiterated that the nursing home has a “no tolerance/termination” policy regarding abusive behavior and the reporting of any suspected or observed behavior. The facility is making every effort to cooperate fully with authorities. Along with reporting the incidents to the local police and the District Attorney’s Office, they notified the Office of Adult Protective Services.
According to the administration’s records, the employees involved in the abuse have all been terminated. The administrator also reported that every employee had received background checks and their certifications were verified before they were employed. Current employees were reported to have been “in-serviced” regarding abuse, neglect, and residents’ privacy rights.
During the investigation, it was discovered that several employees had been aware of the abuse, but they did not report it because the employees involved were their friends.
Compliance Perspective
Failure by a nursing home to ensure residents their right to safety, privacy, and freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation or to prevent those rights from being violated by staff members, may be considered provision of sub-standard quality of care, in violation of state and federal regulations.
Discussion Points:
- Review policies and procedures to ensure that background checks and verification of certifications for prospective employees are completed before hire, and that the facility’s no tolerance/immediate termination policy regarding residents’ rights for freedom from abuse, neglect, and exploitation and assurance of privacy is communicated to all employees when hired and on an ongoing basis.
- Train staff regarding the facility’s no tolerance/immediate termination policy ensuring residents’ rights to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and that this applies not only to staff who might perpetrate such violations, but also for staff who are aware of or suspect such incidents, yet fail to report them to their supervisor or through the Hotline.
- Periodically audit complaints received from residents or family members about abusive treatment or privacy violations to ensure that thorough investigations are occurring with adequate resolution. Interview residents to determine that they are receiving appropriate care and respectful treatment from staff.
