Failure to Maintain Dignity During Resident Feeding
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when staff failed to honor a resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity during mealtime. Specifically, a certified nursing assistant (CNA) was observed feeding a 38-year-old male resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and required total assistance with activities of daily living, while standing over him as he lay in bed. Both the CNA and the registered nurse (RN) acknowledged that facility policy required staff to be seated at eye level with residents during feeding to promote dignity and facilitate better communication. The resident's care plan also specified that diet should be provided and served as ordered. Interviews with staff, including the director of nursing (DON), confirmed awareness of the expectation to provide one-on-one interaction at eye level during feeding. The facility's policy on feeding residents emphasized the importance of positioning staff at eye level to ensure dignified care. The failure to follow this protocol was observed and confirmed through staff interviews and policy review, resulting in a deficiency related to the resident's right to dignity and respect.