Failure to Accommodate Resident Request for Electronic Monitoring Device
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accommodate a resident's preference to have an electronic monitoring device (camera) placed in their room. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including chronic respiratory failure with hypoxia, type II diabetes mellitus, dementia, heart failure, depression, chronic kidney disease, weakness, and cancer, required assistance with activities of daily living. The resident's family requested the placement of an electronic monitoring device, and the facility's Social Service Designee sent an email to the guardian of the resident's roommate requesting consent for the device. However, there was no evidence of a response from the roommate's guardian, nor was there any further documented correspondence or follow-up regarding the request. Observation of the resident's room confirmed that no electronic monitoring device was present. Interviews with facility staff, including the Social Service Designee and the current Administrator, revealed that the previous Administrator had been handling the situation, but no additional documentation or communication could be found. Review of the facility's policy indicated that residents have the right to use electronic monitoring devices in their rooms, but the facility did not provide evidence that it had reasonably accommodated the resident's or family's request.