Resident Dignity Compromised by Staff Cell Phone Use
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain the dignity of a resident, identified as R50, due to the unprofessional use of a cell phone by a staff member. Resident R50, who was admitted with diagnoses including Permanent Atrial Fibrillation and Type 2 Diabetes, reported being unable to sleep well because a Licensed Nurse, Employee E9, had a very loud cell phone. This incident occurred on January 30, 2025, at 5:06 a.m., and the nurse did apologize to the resident for the disturbance. During an interview on February 4, 2025, the Nursing Home Administrator and Director of Nursing confirmed that staff were not permitted to use cell phones in residents' rooms. This incident was identified as a failure to ensure the resident's dignity was maintained, as required by the regulations, and was documented as a deficiency in the facility's compliance with resident rights.
Plan Of Correction
1. R50 was evaluated by social service worker, had no ill effects noted from event, and is no longer a community resident. 2. Nursing Home Administrator or designee will complete a random audit on all shifts to monitor for team member compliance with "Cell Phone Policy" to ensure dignity is maintained for current residents by 2/28/25. 3. The Nursing Home Administrator or designee will provide re-education to current team members on the "Cell Phone Policy" including cell phone use in resident care areas is prohibited and the "Dignity Policy" by 3/10/25. 4. The Nursing Home Administrator or designee will complete a random audit on 5 residents who are receiving care to ensure compliance with the community "Cell Phone Policy" and "Dignity Policy" weekly for 4 weeks and then monthly for 2 months. The results of these audits will be forwarded to Quality Assurance Process Improvement team for review and recommendations.