Resident's Right to Room Choice Not Respected During Deep Cleaning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor a resident's right to self-determination and choice by not allowing her to remain in her room during a scheduled deep cleaning. The resident, who has a history of major depressive disorder and social anxiety, prefers to stay in her room and avoid social situations, as documented in her care plan and confirmed by multiple staff interviews. Despite her clear preference and refusal to leave, she was removed from her room and placed in the hallway in her bed for approximately one hour while her room was cleaned. This action caused the resident significant distress, including anxiety and being nearly in tears. Interviews with facility staff, including the social service designee, LVN, CNA, housekeeper, DON, and administrator, all confirmed the resident's preference to remain in her room and acknowledged that she should not have been forced to leave. The facility's own policy on resident rights also states that residents have the right to make choices about aspects of their life in the facility that are significant to them, including remaining in their room. The failure to respect the resident's choice resulted in a violation of her rights and caused her emotional discomfort.