Failure to Provide Privacy Curtains for Shared Resident Rooms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide privacy curtains for two residents who shared rooms, resulting in a lack of privacy when needed. Both residents were cognitively intact and reported not having privacy curtains for an extended period. Observations confirmed that neither resident had a privacy curtain in place, and their beds were positioned closest to the door, offering no privacy when the door was open. One resident stated he had not had a privacy curtain in a while and could not recall the reason, while the other reported never having a privacy curtain since admission and had requested one from staff without success. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Director of Housekeeping was unaware of the missing curtains and stated that housekeeping was responsible for checking and maintaining privacy curtains daily. The Administrator also was not aware of the missing curtains and confirmed that it was housekeeping's responsibility to ensure each resident had a privacy curtain and that they were clean and in place. Daily checks for privacy curtains and their cleanliness were expected but not carried out effectively, leading to the deficiency.