Failure to Maintain Privacy for Resident with Foley Catheter
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure the privacy and confidentiality of a resident's personal and medical records by not maintaining the resident's foley catheter bag in a privacy bag as required by physician orders and the resident's care plan. During an observation, the resident was found lying in bed with the catheter bag hanging on the side of the bed, uncovered and touching the floor. This was witnessed by another resident who stopped in the doorway and looked into the room. The care plan specifically included an intervention to position the catheter bag and tubing below the level of the bladder and in a privacy bag, and the physician order required the foley bag to be in a privacy bag while the resident was in bed or a wheelchair during every shift. Interviews with staff, including CNAs and the DON, confirmed their awareness that not covering the catheter bag could embarrass residents and that the bag should be kept in a privacy bag. Review of facility policies on resident rights referenced the right to personal privacy, but the catheter care policy did not address the use of privacy bags for foley catheters. The resident involved had multiple diagnoses, including chronic kidney disease, urinary retention, and was on hospice care, requiring the use of an indwelling catheter.