F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
E

Failure to Ensure Respectful and Dignified Treatment of Residents

Avir At Veterans MemorialHouston, Texas Survey Completed on 10-31-2025

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that multiple residents were treated with respect and dignity, resulting in a deficient practice that affected at least four residents. Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) G was identified as the staff member whose interactions with residents led to feelings of being threatened, treated like a child, having their feelings hurt, and not being treated as a human. Specific incidents included CNA G making a comment to a resident about taking him outside and 'whooping his butt' when he refused to get out of bed, which the resident reported made him feel uncomfortable and as though he was being threatened, even if not physically. Other residents described CNA G as abrupt, rude, and rough in her approach, with one resident stating that CNA G treated her like a child and another stating that CNA G's tone was boisterous and explosive, making her feel bad. The residents involved had various medical and psychological conditions, including hemiplegia, diabetes, chronic kidney disease, Parkinson's disease, bipolar disorder, dementia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, morbid obesity, and epilepsy. Several residents had documented histories of depression and moderate cognitive impairment, as indicated by their Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) scores. These conditions made them particularly vulnerable to the negative effects of disrespectful or undignified treatment. Residents reported that CNA G's manner of communication and approach to care did not honor their preferences or emotional well-being, with some residents stating they did not feel safe or respected and that their feelings were hurt by her actions. Interviews with other staff members, including CNAs, LVNs, the DON, and the Administrator, confirmed that residents have the right to be treated with dignity, to refuse care, to ask questions, and to be treated as adults. Staff were trained in resident rights and recognized that failing to respect these rights could negatively affect residents emotionally. The facility's own policy required employees to treat all residents with kindness, respect, and dignity, and to honor their rights to a dignified existence. Despite this, the actions and approach of CNA G, as reported by multiple residents and corroborated by life satisfaction rounds, did not meet these standards, resulting in a deficiency related to resident rights and dignity.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $14,350
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0550 citations
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Catheter Care and Dining
E
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

Failure to maintain resident dignity was identified when three residents with indwelling urinary catheters had drainage bags hanging on the bedframe without privacy covers, despite physician orders for privacy covers every shift. In addition, a resident who was ordered to be fed by staff was observed being fed by a nurse aide standing beside the bed during lunch, and the DON confirmed the dining experience was not dignified.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity During Dressing Assistance
D
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia, anxiety, and osteoarthritis was observed sitting naked on the bed in full view of the hallway while a CNA assisted with dressing. The care plan directed staff to assist with dressing, and the CNA stated the curtain had not been pulled after returning the resident from the bathroom. The ED confirmed the facility failed to maintain the resident's dignity.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Dignified Dining Experience
E
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

Failure to provide a dignified dining experience: Four residents with significant diagnoses, including Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia, cerebral palsy, TBI, and dysphagia, were brought to the assistive dining room for lunch but were not served their trays until more than 50 minutes after the posted mealtime. While other residents were already being assisted with eating, these residents were left watching the meal service, and the DON stated they should have been served at the same time as the others or not brought in until their trays were ready.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Protect Resident Dignity During Insulin Administration
D
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A facility failed to protect the dignity of two residents when an LPN administered insulin injections in the commons area in full view of surveyors, staff, and other residents. The LPN lifted each resident’s shirt, cleansed the injection site, and gave the subcutaneous insulin injection publicly rather than in a private area.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Late Meal Service and Public Medication Administration
E
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia, depression, and anxiety was seated in the dining room while other residents ate, but the lunch tray was not served with the group on two occasions. In a separate event, an LVN administered oral meds to another resident with intellectual disability and cerebral palsy in the dining room while wearing gloves, rather than in a private setting, which staff stated was not the facility’s practice and could be seen as disrespectful.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Unauthorized Shaving of Resident's Beard
E
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A resident with dementia and Alzheimer's disease had his beard completely shaved by two CNAs without his RP's consent. The RP stated the resident had worn his beard for many years and had not been seen without it, and the DON stated the RP should have been notified because the resident lacked capacity to make decisions for himself. The facility policy required staff to ask the resident or, when appropriate, the resident representative about grooming preferences upon admission.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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