Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity and Respect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to uphold residents' rights to dignity and respect for two residents. One resident with heart failure, dementia, and anxiety, and moderate cognitive impairment, was observed sitting in a common area wearing a thin, stained shirt without a bra, and with unbrushed hair. The resident reported not feeling well and having a rash on her chest. She indicated she did not have any other short sleeve shirts available. Staff initially responded by addressing the rash and later provided her with clean clothing options after being questioned about her attire. The care plan for this resident included goals to assist with self-care, encourage daily clothing changes, and maintain dignity, but these were not consistently implemented as observed. Another resident, with diagnoses including cancer, renal disease, diabetes, anxiety, and depression, and with intact cognition, reported distress after a room search resulted in the removal and misplacement of personal items, including scissors and tweezers of significant personal value. The resident stated she was told to obtain a lock box, which her family provided, but her items were lost for up to three weeks before being returned. Staff confirmed the room search was conducted for safety reasons and acknowledged the resident's upset over the loss and delay in returning her belongings. The facility assessment emphasized the importance of person-centered care and maintaining dignity, which was not fully observed in these instances.