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Rose Marie Hall, a 53-year-old certified nursing aide (CNA) at the North Shore University Hospital Stern Family Center in Manhasset, New York, was arrested in June 2014 for allegedly slapping a 78-year-old resident in the face. The resident suffers from dementia, stroke-related complications, diabetes, and behavioral issues. She is totally dependent upon staff members for her care. Appearing in First District Court in Hempstead, Hall was charged with two counts of Falsifying Business Records and one count of Endangering the Welfare of an Incompetent or Physically Disabled Person in the First Degree, a class E felony punishable by up to four years in prison. Hall was released on $300 cash bail.
Per the criminal complaint, Hall was taking care of the resident on January 26, 2013 when a nurse stated that she saw Hall slap the patient in the face. The nurse stated that the patient’s face turned red and that she began crying. One CNA stated that she saw the alleged victim cover up her face with her hand while crying. The nursing facility immediately notified the police after learning about the possible physical abuse allegations. Hall had been a CNA since 2001.
Hall allegedly told some of her colleagues that she slapped the patient after the patient slapped her. However, in a written report about the incident, Hall never mentioned that she hit the resident. In addition, Hall never told her supervisor that the incident involved physical contact. Moreover, in April 2013, Hall allegedly lied to investigators and stated that she had never slapped the resident.
Commenting on Hall’s arrest, Attorney General Eric Schneiderman remarked, “Health care workers in New York have a solemn responsibility to care for their patients. Striking an elderly nursing home resident suffering from dementia and other serious conditions and then lying about it are crimes that we will not tolerate.” The nursing home did not issue a comment about the arrest.
“Nursing Home Compare” lists North Shore University Hospital Stern Family Center as a facility with 256 certified beds. Overall, the facility received a five star rating, the highest rating a nursing home can receive. In addition, the nursing home’s health inspection history is considered to be much above average. Staffing levels at the facility also received a five star rating. The nursing home’s quality measures, which are steps a facility takes to ensure that residents receive the best care possible, was rated as much above average. In addition, the facility did not receive any fines within the past three years. The nursing home is part of the North Shore-Long Island Jewish Health System.
Website Resource: Nurse’s aide slapped dementia patient, says state AG, NY Newsday, Ellen Yan, June 4, 2014
