Failure to Provide Privacy Curtains During Personal Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of residents' personal and medical care by not providing privacy curtains in the rooms of four residents. Observations revealed that privacy curtains were missing or not properly installed in the rooms of residents with significant care needs, including those who required assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), were incontinent, or had cognitive or physical impairments. In one instance, a resident was observed receiving care without the privacy curtain being drawn, and the curtain itself was partially detached and not functional. Other residents reported that their privacy curtains had been missing for extended periods, making them feel uncomfortable and exposed during personal care activities. Interviews with residents confirmed their discomfort and desire for privacy curtains to be restored, as they felt exposed to staff and potentially to people outside their rooms during care. Staff members, including CNAs, were observed providing personal care in rooms without privacy curtains, and several staff interviewed were unaware of the reasons for the missing curtains. One resident specifically mentioned feeling exposed to people passing by the window during dressing changes, while another noted that the lack of a curtain affected both themselves and their roommate during care. The housekeeping and laundry supervisor explained that privacy curtains had been removed from certain rooms due to a bed bug infestation, and that curtains were also removed from adjacent rooms as a precaution. The supervisor stated that the curtains would not be rehung until she was confident the infestation was resolved, and that the curtains were ready to be reinstalled. The DON confirmed that curtain removal was discussed in morning meetings and that cleaning was being done on a schedule, but did not address how resident dignity and privacy were maintained while curtains were absent. Facility policy requires privacy to be provided during hygiene and elimination care, including the use of curtains and closed doors.