Failure to Timely Empty Urinal Compromises Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident was treated with respect and dignity by not emptying his urinal in a timely manner. The resident, an elderly male with muscle weakness, age-related debility, and Alzheimer's disease, required substantial assistance with toileting hygiene and was always continent. Observations revealed that the resident's urinal was often left partially full, and he reported that staff were slow to respond to his requests for assistance with emptying it. As a result, the resident was forced to empty the urinal himself into a cup and then into the trash can at his bedside, sometimes missing and causing spills, which led to staff being upset with him. Interviews with staff confirmed that there was no specific policy or frequency for emptying urinals, though both CNAs and nurses acknowledged it was their responsibility to do so when needed. Staff reported that urinals should be emptied to prevent backflow and contamination, but practices varied, and the resident's behavior of emptying his own urinal was not documented or addressed. The DON stated that urinals should be emptied when half full or less and that staff were expected to check on residents at least every two hours, but there was no formalized schedule or documentation of the resident's difficulties. Facility policies reviewed indicated that residents have the right to dignity and that staff should act upon information regarding resident preferences. However, the lack of timely assistance and failure to document or address the resident's need to have his urinal emptied resulted in the resident feeling uncomfortable and disrespected, as he had to manage the situation himself, sometimes resulting in spills and backflow during use.