Failure to Honor Resident TV Channel Preferences
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of anxiety disorder and depression, who was cognitively intact and preferred to spend time reading and watching TV in his room, reported that his choice of television channels was not being honored. The resident expressed frustration that several major channels, including CBS, NBC, ABC, and WTCN, were unavailable on the facility's TV system, despite documentation indicating that 49 channels should be accessible. He specifically mentioned missing a desired program and stated that his concerns had not been addressed by staff, even after multiple complaints. Upon investigation, the Maintenance Director confirmed that the channels in question were not functioning and admitted she was previously unaware of the issue. The process for reporting such concerns required staff to document them in the TELLS system, but this had not occurred, resulting in the resident's ongoing dissatisfaction and lack of access to his preferred television programming. The deficiency was identified through observation, interview, and record review, demonstrating a failure to support and facilitate resident choice as required.