Failure to Provide Full Visual Privacy Due to Inadequate Bed Curtains
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that each bed had ceiling-suspended privacy curtains that provided total visual privacy for two residents. Observations revealed that one resident's curtain only partially covered his bed, leaving more than half exposed, and the resident expressed concern about being seen during incontinence care. The curtain had been insufficient since the resident's admission. Another resident's curtain separated his bed from his roommate but left the foot of the bed exposed, and staff interviews confirmed that privacy was not fully maintained during care. Staff, including CNAs, housekeeping, and maintenance, were unaware of the need for additional or adjusted curtains and had not reported the issue. The DON confirmed that privacy curtains should provide full coverage and that staff were responsible for notifying the appropriate departments if curtains needed to be changed or installed. There was no specific policy addressing privacy curtains, only a general policy on maintaining a safe and homelike environment.