Complaint Investigation Report

It was alleged that physical abuse by staff led resident to sustain a large bruise. Interviews with Licensee, Administrator, Staff #1 (S1), and Staff #2 (S2) agreed that on 10/08/2024, Resident #1 (R1) asked S1 to leave their wheelchair by the bed before S1 left R1’s room, but S1 did not feel it would be safe since it would prompt R1 to attempt to transfer from the bed alone and risk a fall. R1 got agitated and swung the phone pull cord at S1, which then led to S1 grabbing R1’s hand to remove the pull cord. S2 stated they were nearby and heard R1 yelling “stop hitting me.” S2 stated they immediately went to R1’s room and observed R1 holding the pull cord and S1 trying to remove the pull cord before R1 could hurt S1. S2 stated that S1 was not hitting R1, but R1 claimed that S1 slapped their hand. S1 denied the claim and told S2 they were trying to remove the pull cord. S2 stated they told S1 to leave the wheelchair by R1’s bed and to leave the room so R1 could calm down. S2 stated they did not observe marks on R1 or S1 and that there have been no other incidents with R1. The complainant alleged that a large bruise was observed on R1’s right arm that was different colors, indicating the bruise could be older. The complainant stated that R1 has a condition which gives R1 an unsteady gait and has caused multiple falls, and that it is possible the bruise is from a previous fall. However, the complainant stated that R1 stated multiple times that facility staff hit R1. According to the complainant, R1 did not initially state that S1 hit R1 and R1 denies every hitting S1. LPA interviewed R1 who stated that they “feel safe” but there was an incident two weeks ago where staff “punched” R1. R1 stated they do not remember the staff member, what they look like, or what events led up to the incident. R1 was unable to provide additional details to LPA. R1 stated they were told that the staff member would be kept away from them. The complainant, S1, Licensee, Administrator, and S2 also confirmed that S1 will not tend to the resident and is covering a different section of the facility. The complainant, R1, Licensee, and Administrator, all confirmed that R1 stated they do not want S1 to lose their job.