Failure to Maintain Privacy for Resident with Foley Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with an indwelling Foley catheter was treated with respect and dignity, as required by facility policy and resident rights. Multiple observations revealed that the resident's urinary catheter drainage bag was consistently left uncovered and positioned in a way that made it visible from the doorway. These observations occurred while the resident was both awake and asleep, and the drainage bag was filled with clear/yellow urine each time. The facility's policy on promoting and maintaining resident dignity specifically requires maintaining resident privacy, which was not upheld in this case. The resident involved was cognitively intact and had a diagnosis of neurogenic bladder, requiring the use of a Foley catheter. Physician's orders documented the need for daily and as-needed catheter care, as well as regular monitoring and emptying of the drainage bag. Despite these orders and the facility's policy, staff did not ensure the catheter bag was covered or positioned to protect the resident's privacy. During an interview, a unit manager confirmed that the catheter bag should have been covered for privacy, acknowledging the lapse in maintaining the resident's dignity.