Failure to Knock Before Entering Resident Room Compromises Dignity and Privacy
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a medication aide entered a resident's room without knocking, interrupting an interview between the resident and a state surveyor. The aide acknowledged forgetting to knock and stated that the resident's room was considered his home and that privacy was his right. The resident reported that staff often entered his room without knocking, which bothered him, especially when he had visitors or wanted privacy. He also noted that staff would not close the door behind them, which allowed other residents to wander into his room, and expressed that having his door closed was important to him. The resident involved was a male with a history of depression, muscle wasting, and activity limitations due to disability, and was assessed as moderately cognitively impaired. Interviews with facility leadership, including the interim DON and the administrator, confirmed that it was the facility's expectation for staff to knock before entering residents' rooms to respect their privacy and dignity. Review of facility policy also indicated residents' rights to privacy and dignity, including the right to private communication and a private environment.