Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity by Not Covering Urinary Catheter Drainage Bag
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain the dignity of a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter by not covering the urinary catheter drainage bag with a privacy bag. Multiple observations over several days showed the resident in bed and in a wheelchair with the drainage bag uncovered and visible at the side of the bed or under the wheelchair. The facility's policy on dignity requires staff to promote and protect resident privacy, including bodily privacy during personal care and treatment procedures. However, the resident's care plan did not include an intervention to cover the urinary catheter drainage bag with a privacy bag. The resident, who had mild cognitive impairment and required total assistance for urinary catheter care, had a physician's order for catheter care every shift and to change the catheter bag as needed. Staff interviews confirmed that the drainage bag was not covered and that it should have been, according to facility expectations. The Director of Nursing also verified that the expectation was for the drainage bag to be covered to maintain resident dignity.