On August 13, 2021, the Florida Attorney General’s (AG) Medicaid Fraud Control Unit announced the arrests of three Florida registered nurses (RNs) for aggravated abuse and neglect of a disabled adult. The three RNs are accused of causing third-degree burns to a disabled adult.
According to the investigation, the three RNs worked at a long term care hospital in Orlando, Florida. In September 2019, the three RNs provided care to a disabled adult suffering from hypothermia. Against hospital policy and established medical procedure, the three RNs applied ice bags filled with hot water, allegedly from a coffee maker with a hot water dispenser, to the disabled adult’s body in an attempt to counter the patient’s hypothermia. The disabled adult was then left alone for at least two hours before another employee discovered that the victim sustained several third-degree burns. The patient was transported to a medical center to undergo several skin graft surgeries.
Each of the RNs faces one count of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult, a first degree felony, and neglect of a disabled adult, a second degree felony. If convicted, each RN faces up to 45 years in prison and up to $20,000 in fines.
Florida’s Attorney General Ashley Moody said, “This trio was trusted to provide care to a patient suffering from a serious health condition. Instead of acting in the best interest of the patient, they disobeyed hospital policy and established medical procedure. Because of their actions, the patient suffered a new set of medical issues requiring multiple surgeries. Thanks to the work of my Medicaid Fraud Control Unit and local law enforcement, these caregivers will be held accountable for their neglect and abuse. We will not tolerate abuse of our seniors in Florida.”
Issue:
Abuse can occur in a multitude of forms. It is critical that all staff can recognize abuse and neglect and the steps that should be taken if these are suspected. Additionally, staff members must be aware of the facility’s policies and standards for all treatments and procedures. Staff must be knowledgeable of where they can locate policies and procedures to guide them in performing treatments when unsure of how to perform specific tasks.
Discussion Points:
- Review your policies and procedures on abuse and neglect and on proper temperatures for bath water, beverages, or any other use of hot liquids or heat sources. Update as necessary.
- Train all staff on what is considered abuse and neglect and what steps should be taken when they are suspected. Abuse and neglect trainings should be conducted upon hire and annually at a minimum. Also provide training on preventing burns from hot liquids or other heat sources. Additionally, train staff on where facility’s policies and procedures for treatments or approved liquid temperature levels can be located easily. Document that the training occurred and file the signed documents in each employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit staff understanding to ensure that they are aware the steps that should be taken if they suspect abuse or neglect, appropriate temperatures for hot liquids and other heat sources, and the location of the facility’s policies and procedures.
