The November incident involved two residents identified as R78 and R118, according to a complaint inspection completed January 29. R78 admitted to slapping R118 after R118 called her an expletive when she ignored her request for help finding staff.
Activities Assistant 3 witnessed the aftermath while sitting at her desk inside the dining room. She heard R118 yell but hadn't seen her enter the room or heard any conversation between the residents. R118 told the assistant that R78 slapped her, and R78 admitted doing it.
"R78 said she told R118 to stop hollering and then R118 called her an expletive, so she slapped R118," the activities assistant told inspectors.
The Social Services Director arrived in the dining room after being called about the alleged resident-to-resident incident. By then, R118 had already wheeled herself away to get a drink. When the director interviewed R78, the resident admitted slapping R118 but didn't specify where.
Staff asked R78 to demonstrate the slap. The resident displayed an open hand to the left side of the cheek.
R118 admitted to calling R78 an expletive during her interview but told staff she hadn't been bothered by the incident. No red marks were observed on R118's face, according to the social services director.
Licensed Practical Nurse 1 led the facility's investigation into the allegation. She said the residents had already been separated and were safe when she was notified. R118 reported that R78 hit her while they were in the doorway to the dining room.
The nurse said R118 and R78 had no history of being provoked by each other before the incident. When she interviewed R78, the resident said she hit R118 after R118 called her an expletive.
The Director of Nursing confirmed that multiple staff members reported R78 admitted to slapping R118. However, no staff members actually witnessed the incident occur.
"The assessment of R118 did not reveal physical contact had been made," the nursing director told inspectors.
The Administrator provided additional context about how the incident unfolded. R118 had been looking for a drink and asked R78 if staff were in the kitchen. When R78 didn't respond, R118 called her an expletive, and R78 responded physically.
"To the best of her knowledge, R78 made contact, but the event was not witnessed, and the skin assessment had not shown any signs of contact," inspectors noted about the administrator's account.
The administrator confirmed that based on the facility's interview with R118, R78 had slapped her in the face.
The incident occurred on November 3, 2025, according to facility reportable statements reviewed by inspectors. R78's written statement revealed she purposely ignored R118, leading to R118 calling her an expletive before the slapping occurred.
State inspectors classified the violation as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm, affecting few residents. The inspection was conducted in response to a complaint about the facility.
Both residents admitted their roles in the incident during facility interviews. R118 acknowledged using profanity, while R78 admitted to the physical response. Despite R78's admission and demonstration of the slap, no physical evidence of contact was documented during staff assessments.
The facility separated the residents immediately after the incident and conducted interviews with both parties and witnessing staff. The Administrator notified appropriate personnel, and the Licensed Practical Nurse oversaw the investigation process.
No staff members observed the actual physical contact between the residents, though the Activities Assistant heard the commotion and was present for the immediate aftermath in the dining room.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Gallatin Nursing and Rehab from 2026-01-29 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.