Failure to Provide Privacy for Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain resident dignity for two residents by not providing adequate window coverings, which compromised their privacy. Resident 2, who is cognitively impaired and requires assistance for daily care needs, was observed without a curtain or blind covering the window next to his bed, which faced the facility's main parking lot. He expressed discomfort and a sense of exposure when using the urinal, bedside commode, and while dressing, as he could not pull the privacy curtain around his bed due to its location and his physical limitations. Despite his request for a curtain or blind, none had been installed. Similarly, Resident 6, also cognitively impaired and requiring assistance, was observed in a similar situation with her bed near a window without blinds or curtains, facing the parking lot. The Director of Housekeeping confirmed that blinds had been ordered for both residents' windows but had not yet arrived, and she was unsure of how long the rooms had been without these coverings. This lack of window coverings failed to uphold the residents' rights to dignity and privacy as outlined in the facility's policy and federal regulations.
Plan Of Correction
1. A blind covering the window to the outside has been installed in Resident 2's room. Resident 2 interviewed with no further verbalized concerns. Window blind covering has been installed in Resident 6's room. 2. Any resident who resides in the facility has the ability to be affected by this alleged deficient practice. A whole house random audit was completed with interviewable residents to verify maintenance of his/her resident dignity. 3. Facility staff, including agency staff, were re-educated on the facility Resident Rights Policy, including the importance of maintaining resident dignity and protecting/promoting the rights of each resident, particularly those rights that pertain to a dignified existence. 4. Director of Nursing/designee will randomly audit residents to ensure protection/promotion of resident dignity is maintained weekly times four weeks and then monthly times three months and then reviewed by the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee for results, areas of improvement and/or continuation of audits. Results of these audits will be reviewed in Quality Assurance and Performance Improvement times three months or until substantial compliance is noted.