Staff Use of Cell Phone During Resident Feeding Compromises Dignity
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to treat a resident in a dignified manner during the dining experience. Specifically, a staff member was observed using her cell phone to text while she was supposed to be assisting a resident with eating breakfast. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and was dependent on staff for all activities of daily living including eating, was left unattended with food untouched while the staff member continued to use her phone for at least ten minutes. The incident was directly observed by a surveyor and corroborated by a report from the facility's Ombudsman, who had previously witnessed similar behavior. Facility records, including Resident Council Minutes, indicated that staff use of cell phones and headphones while working had been an ongoing concern among residents, despite some reported improvement. Interviews with facility leadership confirmed that the staff member involved was a hospice CNA from an outside agency, but both the Unit Manager and the DON stated that all staff, including outside agency personnel, are expected to follow facility policies and provide a dignified dining experience. The facility's policy requires that residents be treated with dignity and respect at all times.