Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity by Not Covering Catheter Drainage Bag
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's right to dignity and privacy was maintained by not providing a privacy cover for the resident's Foley catheter drainage bag on two separate occasions. Observations showed that the catheter bag was left uncovered and visible to others, both from the resident's room and from the hallway, as the door was open. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and was unable to express whether the lack of privacy bothered her, had a physician's order and care plan intervention requiring the catheter bag to be covered at all times. However, the order was not reflected in the medication administration record, and staff interviews confirmed that the responsibility for ensuring the privacy cover was in place was shared among nurses and aides. Staff, including a CNA, LVN, DON, and the Administrator, acknowledged during interviews that not covering the catheter bag was a violation of the resident's privacy and dignity. The facility's dignity policy specifically prohibited practices that compromise dignity, including failing to keep urinary catheter bags covered. The facility's catheter care policy did not address privacy for catheter drainage bags. The resident involved had multiple diagnoses, including diabetes, dementia, malnutrition, and urinary retention, and was dependent on staff to uphold her rights and dignity due to her cognitive impairment.