Staff Use of Resident Room for Personal Storage and Activities
Penalty
Summary
Staff failed to respect a resident's right to a dignified existence by using the resident's private room for personal storage and documentation. Multiple observations showed staff charging personal devices, storing personal items such as a white plastic bag and shoes, and making personal phone calls in the resident's room. Staff were also observed documenting on facility iPads while seated in the resident's room, sometimes with their eyes closed or speaking aloud on the phone. These actions occurred while the resident, who was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for activities of daily living, was present in the room, often asleep or nonresponsive. Interviews with facility leadership confirmed that staff are not permitted to store personal belongings, make personal calls, or document in resident rooms, as these spaces are considered private. Despite these policies, staff continued to use the resident's room for personal purposes, as evidenced by repeated observations over several days. The facility's own policy emphasized respect for residents' private space and property at all times, which was not upheld in this instance.