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

Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity With Supplies, Transfers, and Meal Service

Avir At Tierra EsteEl Paso, Texas Survey Completed on 09-05-2025

Summary

The facility failed to treat residents with respect and dignity in several areas involving supplies, transfers, and dining. Resident #9, a cognitively intact female with diagnoses including COPD, schizophrenia, CHF, depressive disorder, anxiety disorder, and fibromyalgia, was identified as being at risk for UTI and skin breakdown and had a care plan intervention for incontinent briefs as needed. During interview, she stated there was a limit on briefs provided each shift and that staff were often searching other resident rooms for briefs or wipes because supplies were not readily available. She stated this happened more on weekends and caused delays in care that she considered a dignity issue. Record review and interviews showed staff and leadership were aware of ongoing difficulty obtaining briefs and wipes for approximately 3 months, with exceptional difficulty over the past month. CNA and LPN staff stated supplies were limited on the floor and had to be requested from Central Supply, and several staff said the issue had been reported to the ADON, DON, and Administrator without resolution. Central Supply stated orders were placed weekly and were subject to review by the Administrator and corporate, with a strict weekly budget for briefs and wipes. On observation of the Central Supply room, a surplus of wipes, briefs, and other supplies was present. The facility also failed to provide a mechanical lift net to the assigned resident within a reasonable timeframe. Resident #9 stated she had been told to wait in bed until staff could find a mechanical lift net, and she described the wait as prolonged and upsetting. Staff interviews indicated that each resident requiring a lift net was assigned one, that soiled nets needed laundering, and that delays in returning nets to service could keep residents in bed longer. The Housekeeping Supervisor stated dirty lift nets were sometimes left in rooms instead of being placed in dirty linen, and the Administrator stated she had ordered more nets at the end of July 2025. The DON and Administrator acknowledged that delays in having lift nets available could delay transfers out of bed. The facility also failed to promote dignity during dining when Resident #7 was served lunch after his tablemates. Resident #7, a male with severe cognitive impairment, bipolar disorder, dementia, and a cognitive communication deficit, was observed waiting for his tray while three of four residents at the table had already been served. He was served after the surveyor intervened, by which time two of his tablemates had finished eating. Staff stated nursing and CNA staff were responsible for ensuring all residents were served in a timely manner, and they identified being served after others as a self-esteem and dignity issue.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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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

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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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