Violation of Resident's Right to Privacy and Dignity
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity by searching a resident's room and personal property without the resident's knowledge and consent. This incident involved a male resident with multiple diagnoses, including hemiplegia, cerebral infarction, schizoaffective disorder, glaucoma, lack of coordination, unsteadiness on feet, heart failure, and malignant neoplasm of the prostate. The resident was cognitively impaired, as indicated by a BIMS score of 11/15. On the specified date, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) was observed sitting on the resident's bed with his hand inside the resident's nightstand, while another CNA was sitting at the foot of the bed. The resident was not present in the room at the time. The CNA admitted to being in the room during his lunch break and acknowledged that he should not have been inside the resident's room without the resident's knowledge, especially since he was not assigned to care for the resident that day. The Director of Nursing confirmed that staff members should not be in residents' rooms during their breaks and should not search through residents' personal belongings without permission. The facility's policy emphasizes treating residents with respect and dignity, which was violated in this instance.