Resident Dignity Compromised by Public Discussion of Attire
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a licensed vocational nurse (LVN) addressed a male resident in the dining room, in the presence of other residents, regarding his attire. The resident, who had diagnoses including muscle wasting, heart failure, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, was observed sitting in the dining room wearing underwear briefs. The LVN asked the resident, in front of others, if he knew he was not wearing pants and requested that he put on clothes over his underwear, citing the presence of female residents. This interaction was witnessed by staff and reported by the resident as embarrassing and belittling. The resident was cognitively intact, independent in functional abilities, and typically outgoing and social. Following the incident, he expressed feeling upset and withdrew to his room, not returning to the dining area that day. Staff interviews confirmed that the LVN acknowledged she should have addressed the matter privately rather than in front of other residents. Other staff and residents did not express concern about the resident's attire, and some believed he was wearing shorts. The resident later reported feeling embarrassed by the public nature of the interaction. Documentation and interviews indicated that the resident did not experience ongoing distress after the incident, and no similar incidents involving the LVN were reported. The facility's policy requires residents to be treated with dignity and respect at all times, but in this instance, the resident's right to dignity and respect was not upheld due to the manner in which the LVN addressed his attire in a public setting.