Resident's Right to Personal Choice Not Supported Due to Removal of Deodorant
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's right to self-determination and choice was not supported by the facility. The resident, who had a history of type II diabetes mellitus, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, emphysema, cervicalgia, hypertension, low back pain, and pulmonary hypertension, reported that his aerosolized can of deodorant was removed from his possession. The resident stated that the deodorant was taken by the Resident Advocate (RA) due to the presence of state surveyors, despite no prior concerns about the item. The resident expressed feeling upset about the removal and indicated that he felt unable to refuse the RA's request to search his room. Further investigation revealed that the resident was capable of self-care and did not require assistance with applying deodorant. A registered nurse confirmed there was no reason for the resident not to have the deodorant in his room and was unaware of its removal. The RA acknowledged removing the deodorant, stating he was instructed that all pressurized items needed to be kept at the nurse's station. The deodorant was not found in the medication cart during inspection.