Failure to Provide Privacy and Dignity During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure resident privacy and confidentiality during wound care for one resident. During an observation, a treatment nurse provided wound care to a resident's left lower leg and calf while the resident was in bed, but did not close the door or pull the privacy curtain, leaving the resident visible from the hallway. Additionally, a physical therapist entered the room without knocking or announcing his presence and discussed another resident's wound care needs in front of the resident receiving treatment. Both the treatment nurse and the physical therapist acknowledged during interviews that their actions compromised the resident's privacy and dignity, and both stated they had received training on resident rights, privacy, and dignity within the past year. The resident involved was alert, oriented, and able to make decisions, with medical diagnoses including coronary artery disease, heart failure, diabetes mellitus, and anemia. The resident's care plan included management of diabetic and arterial ulcers. Interviews with facility staff, including the DON and the administrator, confirmed that privacy and dignity should have been maintained by closing doors and curtains during care and that staff are expected to respect resident privacy at all times. Facility policy also reflected the right of each resident to privacy and dignity during treatment and personal care.