Failure to Provide Timely Toileting Assistance Resulting in Loss of Dignity
Penalty
Summary
A cognitively intact resident who was dependent on staff for all toileting needs experienced delays in staff response to call lights, resulting in episodes of incontinence and a loss of dignity. The resident reported that on multiple occasions, staff failed to respond in a timely manner to requests for toileting assistance, with some wait times exceeding 20 minutes and one instance reportedly lasting over two hours. On one occasion, after staff turned off the call light and stated they would return but did not, the resident's adult son had to assist with toileting, which the resident described as embarrassing and distressing. Call light logs confirmed that while some calls were answered promptly, there was at least one instance where the response time was over 29 minutes. The Director of Nursing acknowledged that all staff are expected to answer call lights and that delays can occur during busy times, but emphasized the importance of timely assistance to maintain resident dignity. The facility was unable to provide a policy regarding dignity when requested.