Failure to Honor Resident's Right to Retain Personal Belongings
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain a resident's right to be treated with respect and dignity, specifically the right to retain and display personal belongings. A resident, who was not cognitively impaired and had multiple medical diagnoses including diabetes, obesity, hypertension, sleep and mental health disorders, had handmade signs displayed on her door. On one occasion, the Director of Nursing (DON) removed these signs without the resident's permission, citing health department and infection control concerns. The removal was done abruptly, with the signs being ripped off the door, and without any prior discussion or consent from the resident. The resident expressed anger and distress over the removal of her personal items, stating that they were her belongings and that she was not asked for permission. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident was very upset by the incident and that the DON did not seek the resident's consent before removing the signs. Facility policy states that residents have the right to retain and use personal possessions unless doing so would infringe upon the rights or health and safety of others, but there was no documentation that the signs posed an immediate risk. The incident was also noted in an Ombudsman report, which highlighted the impact on the resident's mental well-being.