Failure to Provide Privacy During Wound Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to respect the personal privacy and dignity of two residents during wound care procedures. In both cases, the residents had significant cognitive impairments, as documented in their medical records and MDS assessments. For one resident with a right femur fracture, Alzheimer's disease, and dementia, wound care was performed on the right second toe without closing the door, privacy curtain, or blinds, while the resident's roommate was present in the room. The resident was unable to respond to questions during an interview, and later stated she did not have any wounds. For the second resident, who had a history of cerebral infarction, major depressive disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and aphasia, wound care was performed on the left heel without closing the door or privacy curtain. This resident also had severely impaired cognitive skills and did not respond to questions about wound care. Interviews with the RN who performed the wound care and the DON confirmed that the facility's expectation was to always provide privacy by closing the door, privacy curtain, and blinds before providing care. The facility's policy and wound care checklist also required upholding dignity and privacy during care. Despite these policies and expectations, the required privacy measures were not followed during the observed wound care procedures for both residents.