Why are nursing assistants blamed for resident assault

[miniaussie]

Here is the scenario. The residents care plan is followed. 2 staff are present. The resident does not appear agitated or angry, is cooperative and agreeable to have cares done. While the resident is being helped into a sitting position they throw a punch to the staff helping them to sit up. The second staff present is unable to stop the punch because they were unable to stand within stopping distance. After the punch the resident still does not appear angry. The staff is told to fill out an accident report and go to the ER. The residents primary care physician is notified as well as social services and the DON and care center administrator. Within a couple days the residents medications have been changed to add a med that will help stop the aggressive assaults on the staff.

The primary MDS nurse is angry and takes it out on the nurse who was in charge at the time of the incident. They are angry because the meds have increased. Following an IDT meeting a memo is issued by another MDS nurse present at the meeting addressed for all staff to read. In the memo it is stated that many residents have attacked staff but that cares have been delivered because care plans have been followed. The memo further states that if a second staff is present as indicated in the care plan that they would be able to stop the punch to the staff by intercepting it. This MDS nurse is asked about the memo as it appears that staff are being blamed. The MDS nurse states that they had to write the memo because the main MDS nurse told them to. Can someone please explain why the main MDS nurse is blaming the staff?