Resident Alleges that CNA Abused Him
A resident with a diagnosis of vascular dementia, expressive aphasia, and urinary retention, told visitors that he had concerns about the care he had received from a CNA (Aide #1) on the previous day. He identified the person from a picture. He said Aide #1 tried to push him onto the bed, grabbed him, and forced him to lie on his right side. Before that he said he was sitting on the side of the bed eating dinner. The resident reported the incident time as varying from 3 am to 3 pm. Cameras showed Aide #1 entered his room around 6 pm. Aide #1 usually works 11-7 but was working a double shift that evening. Aide #1 had previous unrelated customer service issues. Interviews with other CNAs revealed that the resident clearly dislikes some aides and may be more cooperative with the CNAs he likes.
The investigation revealed the resident refused care and medications that day, and that Aide #1 had asked Aide #2 for help boosting the resident into a better position, but he refused. Nurse #1 was notified and came to the room. Nurse #2 entered and told the aides to leave because the resident asked them to do so. She said the resident claimed the aides rushed him into care routines, and he asked them to leave. She changed the resident with help from Nurse #1. The resident is known to make multiple complaints and calls to administration 2 to 3 times daily to report staff. The roommate did not see anything unusual. Aide #1 said she has difficulty understanding the resident related to his expressive aphasia. Other residents assigned to Aide #1 will be interviewed and have skin checks completed.
Aide #1 was told to come in for an interview and to receive education, and that she would not be assigned to care for this resident. She did not arrive for the 1:1 meeting, but instead reported for work. Even though she was instructed to not provide care for the resident, she responded to his call bell two times, which upset him. Aide #1, who has a problem communicating, said she had problems with her car and could not attend the 1:1 meeting, and she was not able to call because her son had her phone. She thought it was better to come in and work her shift to avoid causing a problem due to her absence. She said she answered the resident’s call bell because no one else responded to it. Aide #1 was suspended pending the investigation outcome. The issue of no one responding to the call bell will be investigated, with cameras checked for verification. The DON met with the CNAs and explained that the resident becomes anxious if he perceives he is not being heard. The group discussed what works best for him, and what can be done to improve his care, and identified a number of possible strategies that might be useful. All CNAs signed an education sheet.
