Failure to Honor Resident's Preference for Personal Clothing
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident was observed lying in bed on an air mattress, wearing a hospital-style gown with a white blanket over his legs, and his personal clothing placed on the back of his wheelchair. The resident had a Foley catheter in place and stated during an interview that he preferred to wear his own clothes but was not given the option to get dressed that morning. He believed staff did not want to dress him due to the catheter tube. Subsequent observation later in the day confirmed the resident remained in a hospital gown. Review of the resident's care plan indicated that assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), including dressing, should be provided as needed. The facility's policy also required staff to provide ADL care with dignity, privacy, and respect, unless otherwise indicated by the resident. The Director of Nursing confirmed that it was her expectation for residents to be dressed in their personal clothing unless they preferred otherwise. The failure to offer or assist the resident with dressing in his personal clothing, despite his preference and the facility's policy, resulted in a lack of dignity and respect for the resident.