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

Violation of Resident Rights for Justice Involved Residents

Sinai Post-acute Nursing & Rehab CenterNewark, New Jersey Survey Completed on 07-29-2024

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that residents were treated in a dignified and respectful manner, specifically concerning 11 Justice Involved Residents (JIR). These residents were physically restrained with metal ankle cuffs and secluded from participating in group activities, community dining, and intermingling with other residents. They were also restricted from communicating with visitors and leaving their rooms at will. This situation was identified as an Immediate Jeopardy (IJ) to the health and safety of the JIR residents and all other residents in the facility. The deficiency began when the first JIR was admitted to the facility and was secluded to the room by law enforcement officers. The surveyors observed that the JIRs were being guarded by law enforcement officers and were not permitted to participate in normal activities or leave their rooms unless escorted for showering. The facility's policies on resident rights, which include the right to be free from physical restraints and to have autonomy and choice, were not adhered to for these residents. Interviews with facility staff, including the Director of Nursing, Licensed Practical Nurses, and the Licensed Nursing Home Administrator, revealed that the facility was aware of the restrictions imposed on the JIRs by the Bureau of Prisons. However, the facility did not have physician orders for the use of restraints, and the residents' care plans did not address the use of restraints or the need for constant supervision by detention guards. The facility's administration acknowledged that the treatment of JIRs was not in line with federal regulations for long-term care facilities.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $329,910
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.

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.
Citation search

Search every citation & Plan of Correction

Go to search
Citation watch

Track new serious citations across New Jersey

Get a heads-up on the newest immediate-jeopardy (J–L) citations in New Jersey — where surveyors are focused right now.

Free · about one email a month

Trusted data from CMS and state health departments

Every citation, penalty and Plan of Correction is sourced from public CMS records (latest release August 26, 2026) and official state health department websites — never guesswork.

In your survey window? See what surveyors are citing.

The Survey-Prep Report maps your facility's risk from 12 months of CMS and state citation data — what's being cited around you and what to check first. $129 one-time.

Get the Survey-Prep Report
An unhandled error has occurred. Reload 🗙

Connection lost — reconnecting… We couldn't reconnect automatically. Please reload the page to continue.