Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity Through Adequate Privacy and Device Coverage
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide care in a manner that promoted or enhanced the dignity of two residents by not ensuring adequate privacy and protection of personal medical devices. For one resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, including encephalopathy, dysphagia, schizophrenia, and depression, the privacy curtain in the resident's room was observed to be too short to provide full privacy during care activities. Both a restorative nurse assistant and the maintenance director confirmed that the curtain was insufficient in length to cover the resident's living area, and the DON acknowledged that this could compromise the resident's dignity. For another resident with a history of infection, dementia, and an indwelling urinary catheter, the urinary catheter bag was observed hanging on the bed without a cover. The care plan for this resident specified that the catheter bag and tubing should be positioned away from the entrance room door, but did not mention a cover. During observation, a CNA confirmed that the urine bag was not covered and stated that this could affect the resident's dignity. The DON also stated that an uncovered urine bag could impact a resident's dignity. The facility's policy and procedure on dignity, dated December 2024, requires that each resident be cared for in a manner that promotes well-being, self-worth, and self-esteem, and specifically prohibits practices that compromise dignity. The policy also instructs staff to help residents keep urinary catheter bags covered and to maintain bodily privacy during personal care and treatment procedures.