Failure to Provide Privacy Bag for Catheter Compromises Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a male resident with a history of bladder cancer and a urostomy was not provided with a privacy bag for his catheter bag, which collects urine. On multiple occasions, the catheter bag was observed hanging on the side of the resident's bed without a privacy cover, making its contents visible from the hallway. The resident reported that the catheter bag had been without a privacy bag since the previous day and expressed a preference for it to be covered to prevent others from seeing his urine when the door was open. Staff interviews confirmed that the catheter bag should have been inside a privacy bag to maintain the resident's dignity and prevent embarrassment, but staff failed to notice and address the exposed catheter bag during their rounds. Facility policy requires that urinary catheter bags be covered to promote and enhance residents' well-being and self-esteem, and to prohibit demeaning practices that compromise dignity. Despite this policy, the resident's catheter bag remained uncovered and visible for an extended period, as confirmed by observations and staff interviews. The failure to provide a privacy bag for the catheter bag resulted in the resident not being treated with the respect and dignity required by facility policy and regulatory standards.