Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity by Not Dressing in Personal Clothing
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that a resident was dressed in personal clothing, resulting in repeated instances where the resident was left in a hospital gown with parts of his body exposed in common areas. On multiple occasions, the resident was observed sitting in a geri-chair in public spaces, such as the TV room and hallway, wearing only a hospital gown that left his back, legs, thighs, incontinence brief, and stomach exposed. These observations occurred during meal service and throughout the morning, with the resident visible to staff, visitors, and other residents. Despite the presence of personal clothing in the resident's room, staff did not dress the resident appropriately until after the issue was brought to the attention of the unit manager and other facility leadership. The unit manager acknowledged the dignity concern upon seeing the resident exposed and confirmed that the resident should have been covered. Staff interviews indicated that there were personal clothes available and that, if needed, clothing could be retrieved from a lost and found. The resident was noted to have cognitive impairments, which may have limited his ability to advocate for himself.