Pierre Obas, a 72 year-old nursing assistant, was sentenced in a North Salem, New York Court for abusing a resident at Waterview Hills Rehabilitation and Nursing Home. Mr. Obas tied an 83 year-old resident to her wheelchair with a bed sheet and took a nap after depositing her in a lounge area. Apparently, Mr. Obas became upset that the resident had requested assistance numerous times throughout the course of the night so he decided to tie her up.
An order from a physician is required for restraints to be used in the nursing home setting, and no such order was in place. However, regardless of whether an order was in place, a sheet is never an appropriate manner in which to restrain a resident because it presents a risk for strangulation and/or falls.
As part of his sentence, Mr. Obas was required to surrender his certification to work as a nurse’s aide for a period of one year.
Website Resources:
83-year-old patient restrained while aide took nap, LoHud.com, Candice Ferrette, August 11, 2009.
