F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
D

Deficiency in Resident Dignity and Privacy

Humboldt House Rehabilitation And Nursing CenterBuffalo, New York Survey Completed on 05-23-2024

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that residents were treated with respect and dignity, as evidenced by the behavior of a staff member towards a resident and the lack of privacy in a shared bathroom. Resident #134, who was cognitively intact and had a care plan requiring calm and reassuring care, was subjected to unprofessional behavior by Licensed Practical Nurse #6. The nurse allegedly used inappropriate language, slammed medication on the tray table, and left the room in a disrespectful manner, causing the resident to become upset and cry. This incident was corroborated by other staff members who witnessed the behavior. Additionally, the facility did not provide adequate privacy for residents using a shared bathroom on the dementia unit. The bathroom, used by both male and female residents, had three toilet stalls separated by partitions but lacked stall doors or privacy curtains. Observations confirmed that residents used this bathroom independently, raising concerns about privacy and dignity. Staff interviews revealed that the lack of privacy was a known issue, with several staff members acknowledging the problem and expressing concerns about its impact on residents. The facility's failure to address these issues violated the residents' rights to be treated with respect and dignity. The lack of privacy in the shared bathroom and the unprofessional conduct of a staff member towards a resident were significant deficiencies identified during the survey. These findings highlight the need for the facility to ensure that all residents are treated with dignity and that their privacy is respected in all aspects of their care.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $72,466
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0557 citations
Failure to Provide Dignified Feeding Assistance
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

Failure to Provide Dignified Feeding Assistance: A resident with cognitive impairment, depression, and vascular dementia was observed being assisted with breakfast by a CNA who was standing over her. The CNA described dignity measures during feeding, and the DON stated staff are expected to sit at eye level rather than stand when assisting residents with meals. The facility’s Dignity policy required residents to be treated with dignity and respect and to receive a dignified dining experience.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity and Respect
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity and Respect: A resident with dementia with agitation, TBI, and PTSD was reportedly spoken to in a demeaning and profane manner by a CNA during care after becoming upset and requesting a shower following bowel incontinence. A second CNA witnessed the exchange, and the DON’s interview summary reflected the resident reported being called an idiot and hearing profanity used by the CNA.

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Uncovered Urinary Catheter Bag Visible From Hallway
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

A resident with an indwelling suprapubic catheter was observed in bed with an uncovered urinary drainage bag lying on the floor beside the bed and visible from the hallway. The resident’s care plan called for a dignity bag to cover the urine bag each shift and for the catheter bag and tubing to be positioned below the bladder and away from the room entrance, but the bag remained uncovered during repeated observations. An LPN confirmed the bag was visible and could not explain why staff did not cover it after the resident returned from a recent urology visit with a different drainage bag.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity: A CNA responded inappropriately after a resident with dementia struck her during care, telling the resident, "If you hit me, I will hit you back." The resident's family member heard the remark and became upset. The ADM verified the CNA was suspended and stated residents must be treated in a safe, helpful, and dignified manner.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missing Personal Property Not Inventoried or Tracked
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

Missing Personal Property Not Inventoried or Tracked: A resident with intact cognition and multiple chronic conditions had a wedding ring and fur coat go missing, but the facility had no completed personal property inventory, no dedicated missing-items log, and no documented investigation or objective evidence showing where the items went. The DON confirmed nursing staff did not itemize the resident’s belongings, and the administrator could not provide transfer records, transport checklists, or other documentation to account for the missing property.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Rude and disrespectful incontinent care
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

A resident with left hemiplegia, vascular dementia, and anxiety disorder was not treated with dignity and respect during incontinent care when a CNA was rude and rough while attempting to position her. The resident repeatedly called for help and asked for the CNA to be removed from the room, and another CNA completed the care after the first CNA left. A nurse and CNA both heard the resident complain that the CNA was rude and mean, and the resident later reported the care had been rough.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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