Video shows patient lying on floor, being berated at north Raleigh nursing home

The patient’s daughter installed a hidden camera after her father complained about how he was being treated at Universal Healthcare North Raleigh.

The patient’s daughter, Rebecca Knapton, contacted WRAL News after seeing the video that was captured in her father’s room. According to the facility, staff members have been fired, but that doesn’t make the video any easier to stomach.

Universal Healthcare North Raleigh says it prides itself in creating an atmosphere of trust and respect, but that’s not what Knapton witnessed when she set up a hidden camera inside her father’s room.

The video starts at about 4:20 a.m., when Knapton’s 68-year-old father, who is recovering from a stroke, slips off the bed. The volume on the TV is loud, but he can be heard calling for the nurses over and over.

He is on the floor for more than an hour before someone walks in at 5:25 a.m. She looks over the bed and walks out without speaking or checking on the patient.

The patient continues to call out for help.

It takes another 15 minutes for staff members to return. Instead of helping him, they start questioning him.

“What are you doing there,” a staff member says. “What are you doing on the floor?”

“I need help,” Knapton’s father replies.

The patient tells the staff that he had to go to the bathroom, but had an accident while waiting. The staff proceeds to change him on the floor, even though he repeatedly tells them he’s cold.

“You were on the bed. You decided to go on the floor, so don’t complain that it’s cold,” a staff member says.

The same staff member even faults the patient for his current circumstances.

“You had to do something very wrong with your life. What did you do? You’re suffering so bad, so you’ve done something wrong. Yes, you did,” the staff member says.

At around 5:40 a.m., after nearly two hours on the floor, the nurses finally lift Knapton’s father into the bed, but the berating continues.

“How old are you, one1? You’re supposed to be enjoying your retirement. Instead, look what you are doing, pooping on yourself. Shame on you,” a staff member says.

The shaming continues as a staff member pulls the pillow from under his head, and with it more of the patient’s dignity.

“Shame on you. Shame on you,” the staff member says.

Choice Health Management Services, the parent company of Universal Healthcare North Raleigh, released a statement which said, in part:

“As soon as the facility became aware of the family’s allegations, an investigation was initiated. We understand the family’s concern and regret that this occurred. The staff involved were terminated for their inappropriate conduct. The remaining staff received additional in-service training.”

The statement went on to say that they believe the incident was isolated and they are confident that their residents are well cared for.

The state investigation is ongoing.