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

Violation of Resident Rights for Justice-Involved Resident

Belle Care Nursing And Rehabilitation CenterTrenton, New Jersey Survey Completed on 06-26-2024

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that a justice-involved resident was treated with dignity and respect, as required by federal guidelines. The resident was physically restrained and secluded, unable to participate in group activities, community dining, or communicate freely with visitors. The resident was confined to their room, guarded by corrections officers, and was not allowed to leave the room at will or retain and use personal possessions. This treatment led the resident to feel lonely and depressed, expressing a desire to return to the correctional facility. The resident, who had been at the facility for over a year, was admitted with several medical conditions, including paraplegia, chronic pain, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, insomnia, and a stage 4 pressure ulcer. Despite receiving rehabilitation and wound care, the resident was not allowed to participate in activities or have visitors without approval from the correctional facility. The resident was also required to wear an orange jumpsuit, which caused embarrassment, and was not permitted to use the telephone or have privacy during care or visits. The facility's policies and practices, as observed by the surveyor, did not align with the resident's rights to a dignified existence and self-determination. The resident's care plan reflected restrictions on phone use and dining, and the facility's staff confirmed that the resident was always accompanied by corrections officers, even during rehabilitation sessions. The facility's administration acknowledged that the correctional facility controlled many aspects of the resident's life, including clothing, phone use, and visitation, which contributed to the resident's feelings of isolation and depression.

Removal Plan

  • The resident was returned to the CF.
  • The facility ended their contract with the CF to accept JIR and has no other contracts with additional CFs to accept JIRs.
  • The LNHA and DON were inserviced regarding CMS's S & C memo regarding JIR.
  • The LNHA was responsible for the implementation of all facility policies and regulations.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $27,571
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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
Resident room searched and camera confiscated without consent
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

Resident rights were violated when the NHA and a maintenance employee searched a resident’s room and took his camera without his consent while he was away at an outing. The resident, who had pain and difficulty walking, said his belongings were searched without permission, and his roommate confirmed the event. The NHA later acknowledged the resident-rights concern.

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 Items Not Returned or Replaced
E
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 Items Not Returned or Replaced: Two residents reported missing clothing and other personal belongings that staff had not resolved, and grievance records showed multiple complaints about missing items. Observation of the laundry area found unlabeled clothing, shoes, and blankets stored in carts and on shelves, while staff said items often accumulated without names, were not routinely delivered to residents, and were sometimes donated or redistributed.

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.
Oxygen Concentrator Not Inventoried in Resident Property Record
D
F0557 F557: Honor the resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity and to retain and use personal possessions.
Short Summary

Oxygen Concentrator Not Inventoried in Resident Property Record: A resident with CHF, OSA, and atrial fibrillation had an oxygen concentrator from home at the bedside, but it was not listed in the resident's clothing and possessions inventory. The resident said he used the concentrator himself when needed and that his belongings record had not been updated after returning from the hospital. The LVN and DON confirmed there was no documentation of the concentrator in the inventory or nursing notes.

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.
Visible Foley Catheter Not Covered
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’s urinary catheter was repeatedly observed hanging from the bedframe and visible from the doorway. The resident said it bothered him/her that the Foley could be seen, and an LPN noted the catheter was not covered. The charge nurse stated it was likely a hospital Foley that had remained in place since the resident returned and should have been changed out or at least covered.

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 Address Resident's Facial Hair and Personal Grooming Preference
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 Address Resident's Facial Hair and Dignity: A resident with Parkinson's disease, dementia, and ADL self-care deficits was observed on multiple occasions with long facial hair on her upper lip and chin. She stated she wanted it shaved, said staff had not offered, and reported it made her feel like a man. The DON and an MDS LVN stated grooming includes offering hair removal when residents want it, and a CNA confirmed the facial hair was present.

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 Provide Dignified Dining 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 dining assistance: A resident with stroke, diabetes, and dementia, who had a BIMS score of 3 and was dependent on staff for meals, was served lunch in the dining room but did not receive help eating until 20 minutes after the tray was delivered. The RNS confirmed the delay, and the DON confirmed the facility failed to provide 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.
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