Failure to Support Resident Choice for Independent Smoking
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor the rights of residents to self-determination and choice by restricting the smoking times for residents who had been assessed as safe, independent smokers. Two residents with intact cognition and a history of tobacco use were care planned and assessed as able to smoke independently and safely. Despite this, the facility implemented a policy limiting smoking in the designated area to between 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM, as indicated by posted signage and confirmed through staff and resident interviews. Both residents expressed dissatisfaction with the imposed smoking schedule, stating their preference to smoke outside of the designated hours, including late evenings and early mornings. Staff interviews confirmed that multiple residents had complained about the restricted smoking times, and that these concerns had been communicated to nursing staff. The decision to restrict smoking hours was made by department heads, and facility leadership reported being unaware of resident complaints regarding the policy.