Failure to Honor Resident's Choices in Daily Routine and Outdoor Access
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident's choices regarding his daily routine and outdoor access, leading to a deficiency. The resident, who is cognitively intact and has a history of multiple sclerosis, depression, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, expressed a strong desire to be assisted out of bed early in the morning, as he had been accustomed to being active early in his life. Despite his requests and a promise from the facility to adjust his morning routine, the resident continued to experience delays in receiving assistance, often being left in bed until after lunch. This situation contributed to his feelings of depression and frustration. Additionally, the resident, who has a physician's order allowing him to leave the facility, was consistently denied the opportunity to go outside independently in his motorized wheelchair. The facility's care instructions prohibited him from exiting the facility in his wheelchair, despite his expressed need for sunshine and fresh air, which he associated with his lifelong passion for the outdoors. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that residents should be allowed to get up at their requested time and be offered assistance to go outside, indicating a failure in the facility's practices to support resident self-determination and choice.