BRIAN CENTER HEALTH & REHABILITATION-HICKORY
LOCATED: 3031 TATE BOULEVARD SE, HICKORY, NC 28602

BRIAN CENTER HEALTH & REHABILITATION was cited by the DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES for the following deficiencies:

PLEASE NOTE: The following highlighted quoted text is only a portion of the full report/survey submitted by DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES CENTERS FOR MEDICARE & MEDICAID SERVICES. The full report/survey can be found here.

FACILITY FAILED TO PROTECT EACH RESIDENT FROM ALL ABUSE, PHYSICAL PUNISHMENT, AND BEING SEPARATED FROM OTHERS.

LEVEL OF HARM – IMMEDIATE JEOPARDY

**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY**
Based on staff and witness interviews and record review the facility failed to prevent a nurse aide from physically abusing a resident for 1 of 2 abuse allegations (Resident #5). Immediate jeopardy began on 05/22/15 when nurse aide #1 abused Resident #5.

Continuing: On 05/26/15 at 9:25 AM lab technician #1 was interviewed on the telephone and reported that on 05/22/15 at 5:40 AM she was in the facility walking through the 200 Hall intersection when she heard a loud, angry voice say, Didn’t I tell you not to do that s***, huh, didn’t I? The lab technician stated that she looked immediately toward the direction of the voice and observed nurse aide (NA) #1 standing over Resident #5 who was cowered down leaning to the left. The lab technician stated that Resident #5 was in her wheelchair positioned in the center of the 200 Hall and NA #1 had a tight grip on Resident #5’s right wrist, as she spoke the NA shook Resident #5’s right wrist to emphasize her words as NA #1 repeated, Didn’t I, didn’t I? Lab technician #1 stated that she watched as NA #1 flung Resident #5’s right wrist down in the resident’s lap and then slapped Resident #5’s right shoulder twice as if she were spanking Resident #5. The lab technician stated that she immediately reported the incident to Nurse #1. The lab technician added that she reported to Nurse #1 that she had observed NA #1 manhandle Resident #5. The lab technician reported that after she spoke with Nurse #1 she left the facility and notified her immediate supervisor of the physical abuse. That afternoon, the lab technician stated that she was concerned regarding the incident she had observed and contacted the facility’s Administrator. The lab technician stated that the Administrator requested that she email her the details of the witnessed abuse. On 05/26/15 at 12:20 PM the Administrator reported that the abuse allegation was substantiated. The Administrator explained that the incident was witnessed and a statement was obtained. Review of the facility’s abuse investigation dated 05/22/15 revealed a document that was emailed to the Administrator on 05/22/15 at 2:49 PM that read in part: On Friday, May 22, 2015 at 5:40 AM I was walking through the facility to leave. As I approached the intersection of the 200 Hall, I heard a loud, stern feminine voice speaking very loud ‘Didn’t I tell you not to do that s***? Didn’t I tell you that? Huh? Didn’t I?’ Naturally I looked to my left to see what was going on. I saw Resident #5 in a wheelchair wearing a pink or peach top with a dark sweater or jacket over it, she was cowering her head down towards her left. Nurse aide #1 was standing behind the wheelchair wearing blue scrubs. She had the resident’s right wrist in a firm grasp and was shaking it to emphasize her words. NA #1 slung the Resident’s arm downward and open hand slapped her twice on the upper arm as if she were spanking a child. I immediately went to tell Nurse #1. On 05/26/15 at 5:00 PM Nurse #1 was interviewed and reported that she was the charge nurse from 11 PM to 7 AM on the morning of 05/22/15. She added that around 6 AM a witness reported that NA #1 had abused Resident #5. Nurse #1 stated that she did not assess Resident #5 for sign or injury.

Personal Note from NHAA Advocates: NHAA shares with all the families of loved ones who are confined to nursing homes the pain and anguish of putting them in the care of someone else. We expect our loved ones to be treated with dignity and honor in the homes we place them. We cannot emphasize enough to family members of nursing home residents; frequent visits are essential to our loved ones’ well-being and safety. This nursing home and many others across the country are cited for abuse and neglect.

You can make a difference. If you have a loved one living in this nursing home or any other nursing home where you suspect any form of abuse or neglect, contact us immediately.

We can help you file a state complaint, hire a specialized nursing home attorney or help you find a more suitable location for your loved one.

Contact us through our CONTACT FORM located on our website here below or on the sidebar or call our toll free hot line number: 1-800-645-5262.

You can make a difference even if your loved one has already passed away.