Failure to Offer Room Change or Diversional Activities After Roommate's Death
Penalty
Summary
A cognitively intact resident was not offered the opportunity to move to another room or participate in diversional activities after his roommate passed away. The resident's admission and assessment records indicated he was able to ambulate independently and had a perfect score on the Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS), confirming his awareness of the situation. Review of progress notes and interviews with staff confirmed that the facility did not document or offer the resident a room change or alternative activities following the death of his roommate, despite facility policy and staff statements indicating this should have occurred. Multiple staff interviews, including those with the Central Supply Manager, Administrator, LPN, and MDS Coordinator, revealed that it was standard practice to offer a room change or diversional activities to a surviving roommate after a death. However, the resident himself confirmed he was not offered another room. The Administrator also stated there was no specific policy for dignity in such situations. This lack of action and documentation failed to honor the resident's right to a dignified existence and self-determination during a potentially traumatic event.