Failure to Respect Resident's Personal Belongings During Room Cleaning
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to respect a resident's personal belongings during a room cleaning, disposing of items without the resident's presence or awareness. The resident, who had a documented history of homelessness and hoarding, kept various personal items in his room, including painted rocks, a handmade plant, and papers, none of which posed a safety hazard at the time of observation. Staff cleaned the room while the resident was absent, removed items from display, and discarded stored food, citing routine housekeeping and the need to prevent hoarding. The resident expressed frustration and distress upon discovering his items were missing or displaced, indicating he was not informed or consulted about the cleaning or the disposal of his belongings. Review of the resident's care plan showed interventions related to his history of hoarding and the need to maintain a safe environment, but did not specify how staff should ensure the resident was comfortable with the cleaning process or aware of what was being discarded. Staff interviews revealed that while the resident had previously consented to staff cleaning his room, there was no documentation or clear communication regarding which items could be removed or discarded. Additionally, the facility lacked a specific policy on hoarding or room cleaning for safety concerns, and there was no evidence of a documented agreement or contract outlining the resident's preferences or consent for the disposal of his personal items.