Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity by Not Covering Urinary Catheter Bag
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a male resident with a history of benign prostatic hyperplasia and cerebral infarction, who had an indwelling urinary catheter, was observed sitting in his wheelchair in the hallway with his urinary catheter bag exposed and not covered by a privacy bag. The resident's care plan specifically included the intervention to position the catheter bag and tubing below the level of the bladder and in a privacy bag. During the observation, the resident stated that the bag was usually covered, and a CNA acknowledged that the privacy bag was missing and should be replaced to maintain the resident's dignity. Further interviews with facility staff, including a CNA, LVN, DON, and ADON, confirmed that the expectation was for urinary catheter bags to be covered for resident dignity. However, the facility's catheter care policy did not address the use of privacy bags. The failure to provide a privacy bag for the resident's urinary catheter bag resulted in the resident not being treated with respect and dignity, as required by their care plan and facility expectations.