Failure to Maintain Resident Privacy During Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) failed to provide full privacy to a male resident during gastrostomy tube care. The resident, who had a history of tracheostomy, gastrostomy, cerebral ischemia, muscle wasting, and dysphagia, was observed receiving care with the privacy curtain not pulled and the door to the hallway left open. This allowed the resident to be visible from the hallway while visitors, staff, and other residents passed by. The resident was dependent on staff for gastrostomy tube care and had intact cognition, as indicated by a BIMS score of 14. Interviews with the ADON, a CNA, the Director of Nursing (DON), and the Administrator confirmed that all staff had been trained on the importance of maintaining resident privacy and dignity, and that the privacy curtain should have been used during care. The resident indicated feeling exposed and embarrassed when privacy was not maintained. Facility policy also required that each resident be cared for in a manner that promotes well-being and self-esteem, which was not followed in this instance.