Failure to Provide Privacy During Resident Care and Treatment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were treated with dignity by providing adequate privacy during care and treatment, as evidenced by observations and staff interviews involving three residents. In one instance, a resident with severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, including a tracheostomy and gastrostomy, received medication administration via gastrostomy tube from a registered nurse who did not close the door or pull the privacy curtain during the procedure. The nurse later confirmed that privacy was not provided. In another case, a resident dependent on staff for all activities of daily living, including tracheostomy care, had trach suctioning and tie changes performed by a respiratory therapist with the door and blinds open and the privacy curtain not pulled. The therapist acknowledged that privacy should have been provided. Additionally, a resident with impaired cognition and dependence for toileting was observed receiving incontinence care with the curtain only partially closed and the door wide open, allowing the resident to be exposed and visible from the hallway. A soiled brief was also observed being tossed onto the floor by a certified nursing aide, who admitted that the door should have been closed but did not do so, mistakenly believing it was stuck. Review of facility policy confirmed that residents have the right to privacy and confidentiality during medical treatment and personal care.