Failure to Ensure Resident Privacy During Personal Care
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to maintain a resident's dignity and privacy during personal hygiene and bathing assistance. Specifically, a CNA provided a bed bath to a resident who was totally dependent for personal hygiene and bathing, without ensuring that the privacy curtains were fully closed around the bed and the window blinds were shut. The resident, who had moderate cognitive impairment and multiple medical diagnoses including chronic kidney disease, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, and a cardiac pacemaker, was left unclothed except for a brief, with another resident present in the room and the window facing a public parking area. The other resident was observed looking at the unclothed resident, and the open window blinds allowed visibility from outside. During a subsequent observation, the privacy curtain was only partially closed and the window blinds remained open while the resident was fully unclothed and receiving a bed bath. The LPN present informed the CNA of the need to fully close the privacy curtain and window blinds, and then assisted in doing so. The CNA acknowledged not being aware of the requirement to fully close the curtain and blinds. The resident later stated feeling embarrassed by the lack of privacy, not wanting to be seen by others in the room or from the parking lot. The facility's policy required residents to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, and the DON confirmed that staff were expected to ensure privacy during care.