These symptoms require evaluation, says forensic nurse specialist. Sexual abuse in nursing facilities "is more common than people think," said
Linda Ledray, RN, PhS, SANE-A, FAAN,
tells Eli that physical signs of abuse "appear in 40 to 50 percent of adults over age 60 but in only 30 percent of younger people." Physical signs of sexual abuse include the following, according to Ledray:Tips:
"In the nursing facility, doing a head to toe assessment at admission for pressure ulcers is a good time to look for signs of abuse," advises Ditmer. "Incorporating an assessment into routine bathing is a perfect time to look for signs of abuse, neglect, and non-violence related health issues," Ditmer adds.The resident "may be more cranky, which is a sign of depression, or if the abuse is occurring in their room, they may not want to be in the room -- or they may seem fearful at night, if the abuse is happening then," adds Ledray.
Ask Residents, Family Members About Abuse
Ditmer reports that her community has a coroner's office committee that "does death reviews and links those back to whether the deceased person was ever in the hospital to make sure they were screened" for potential abuse. "When we have identified people who weren't screened, the nurses say it embarrassed them to ask the person if anyone has been hurting or touching them inappropriately," she says. Yet "it's important to keep asking because a person may take time to tell you that they are being hurt --ou have to develop a relationship," Ditmer stresses.
Kenneth Daily, LHNA,
believes that that "all facilities, regardless of what survey process is used in their state, can and should be asking [residents] the three basic resident abuse questions from the Quality Indicator Survey (QIS) Resident interview," which are as follows:"The questions are seen as an opportunity to establish trust with the resident by asking questions that do not force them to reveal too much upon meeting a stranger (surveyor)," says Daily, president of Elder Care Systems Group in Dayton, Ohio. But "if surveyors listen carefully and follow-up on any 'yes' answer," they can "discover inappropriate treatment of residents."
Daily says staff should also ask family members the QIS family interview questions about abuse, as follows:
Resources:
The complete resident and family interviews, respectively, are available at www.qtso.com/download/qis/forms/CMS-20050_ResidentInterviewAndObservation_revised.pdf and www.qtso.com/download/qis/forms/CMS-20049_FamilyInterview.pdf.You can watch the CMS webinar on sexual abuse at www.cmstraining.info/pubs/VideoInformation.aspx?cid=1092.