Resident Denied Access to Bathroom Due to Locked Door
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment for a resident with multiple cognitive and behavioral diagnoses, including Frontotemporal Neurocognitive Disorder, dementia, muscle weakness, bipolar disorder, depression, manic disorder, impulse disorder, and cognitive communication deficit. The resident was assessed as severely cognitively impaired. During observation and interviews, it was found that the resident's private bathroom was locked by facility staff. The Maintenance Director and DON stated this was done because the resident had a history of flushing inappropriate items, such as clothes and briefs, which had previously caused plumbing issues and backups in the memory care unit. Instead of access to her own bathroom, the resident was escorted by staff to a community restroom in the memory care unit, which was also kept locked and only accessible by staff. The facility's policy on resident rights requires that residents be treated with respect and dignity in an environment that promotes quality of life and allows for safe and independent access to personal spaces. The locked bathroom restricted the resident's access to her own bathroom, contrary to these requirements.