Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity and Privacy During Personal Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide dignified care and ensure privacy for two residents during personal care activities. One resident, who was admitted with diagnoses including obstructive uropathy, peripheral vascular disease, morbid obesity, and depression, was completely dependent on staff for all transfers, mobility, and personal care due to an indwelling urinary catheter and bowel incontinence. The resident was cognitively intact and expressed feelings of embarrassment and helplessness related to his dependence on staff and lack of privacy during care. During morning care, two CNAs were observed providing incontinence care to the resident, who was left uncovered and exposed while stool was being cleansed from his body. The shared bathroom door between the resident's room and an adjoining room was left open, allowing another resident to enter and view the exposed resident during care. The CNAs did not offer or assist with covering the resident at any time during the observation. Additionally, the urinary catheter drainage bag was not covered, and the resident's body was partially exposed during a transfer from bed to a recliner, with the bathroom door again left ajar. The Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident did not use the bathroom due to incontinence and catheter use, but staff used the bathroom during care provision. The DON acknowledged the importance of keeping the door closed to ensure privacy and dignity for both residents sharing the bathroom. The observations and interviews revealed repeated failures to maintain the resident's privacy and dignity during care, as required by resident rights regulations.