Failure to Use Privacy Bag for Catheter Compromises Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to ensure the use of a privacy bag for a resident's catheter drainage bag, as required by facility policy. Multiple observations over several days showed the resident's catheter bag hanging on their walker without a privacy cover, making it visible from the hallway. This occurred both when the resident was in bed and when the catheter bag was attached to the walker, with no privacy bag in use during any of the observed times. The resident involved had an indwelling catheter due to neurogenic bladder and other medical conditions, including renal disease, anxiety, depression, and schizophrenia. The resident's care plan specified that the catheter bag and tubing should be kept below the bladder and away from the entrance room door, but did not address the use of a privacy bag. Interviews with the DON confirmed that dignity bags were expected to be used for all residents with catheters, but this was not done for this resident.