Staff Failed to Feed Residents at Eye Level, Compromising Dignity
Penalty
Summary
Staff did not assist residents at eye level during feeding for two residents, contrary to facility policy and best practices for maintaining dignity. For one resident with dementia, anxiety, cirrhosis, and anemia, who required set up and moderate assistance with eating and other activities of daily living, staff were observed standing in front of the resident while feeding, rather than sitting at eye level. Similarly, another resident with metabolic encephalopathy, anemia, acute respiratory failure, and benign prostatic hyperplasia, who was severely cognitively impaired and required set up and maximal assistance with eating, was also assisted by staff standing over him during feeding. In both cases, staff did not follow the facility's policy, which specifies that residents should be fed with attention to safety, comfort, and dignity, including not standing over them. Interviews with a CNA and the DON confirmed that feeding residents at eye level is important for their comfort and dignity, and that standing over residents can make them feel inferior or babied. The facility's policies on dignity and meal assistance both emphasize the importance of treating residents with respect and providing assistance in a manner that promotes their well-being and self-esteem. The observed actions were inconsistent with these policies and had the potential to impact the residents' sense of dignity and respect.