Failure to Maintain Resident Privacy During Personal Care
Penalty
Summary
Multiple instances of failure to maintain resident privacy during personal care were observed among three residents. In one case, a CNA entered a resident's room without knocking and failed to close the window blind while providing incontinent care, exposing the resident to potential observation from outside. The resident had severe cognitive impairment and was dependent on staff for activities of daily living (ADL) care. The CNA acknowledged not following privacy protocols, despite having received in-service training on the subject. Another incident involved a CNA assisting a resident with toileting without knocking before entering the room and leaving the restroom door open. This resulted in the resident being exposed to two visitors present in the room. The resident had intact cognition and required moderate assistance with transfers. The CNA admitted to not providing adequate privacy and recognized it as a dignity issue, confirming prior training on privacy and dignity protocols. A third deficiency was observed when a CNA left a resident uncovered from the waist down while leaving the room to retrieve additional supplies during incontinent care. The resident, who was dependent on staff for ADL care and had intact cognition, was left exposed and unattended. The CNA acknowledged the lapse in privacy and stated awareness of the requirement to cover residents when unattended. Interviews with facility leadership and staff confirmed that privacy protocols, such as knocking before entering, closing doors, curtains, and blinds, and covering residents during care, were part of facility policy and staff training.