Broken Curtain Rod Compromises Resident Privacy and Safety
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident's room was found to have curtains hanging from a bent curtain rod, which had been in disrepair for some time. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and required substantial assistance with activities of daily living, reported feeling violated due to the lack of privacy, as people outside could see into the room. The observation was made during a concurrent interview and inspection, confirming the ongoing issue with the room's curtains and curtain rod. The Maintenance Supervisor acknowledged responsibility for repairing equipment and furnishings and confirmed that the curtain and curtain rod in the resident's room were not in good condition and did not promote a homelike environment. The facility's policy on maintaining a homelike environment was reviewed, which emphasized the importance of staff and management maximizing characteristics that reflect a personalized, homelike setting. The deficiency resulted in a violation of the resident's right to privacy and a potential safety hazard.