Staff Cell Phone Use During Resident Care Undermining Resident Dignity
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to respect residents’ dignity and right to a dignified existence and self-determination by allowing staff to use personal cell phones while providing resident care. A resident’s daughter reported that CNAs were on their phones “all the time,” including an incident where a CNA, wearing earbuds and engaged in a personal call, told the person on the phone to “hold on,” reached into her pocket to pause the call, and only then addressed the daughter. The same daughter stated she had recently observed CNAs on their phones while providing care to her mother. One resident stated she sees staff on their phones during resident care “all the time,” and another resident stated she does see staff on their phones while providing care. A nonverbal, non-alert, and non-oriented resident’s mother also reported seeing staff on their phones frequently, including during care, and described it as disrespectful and something that should not happen. The DON confirmed that cell phones should not be used while providing care and acknowledged that it is disrespectful for staff to be on their phones while caring for residents, despite the facility’s written policy that strongly discourages personal calls or texting during work time except under extraordinary circumstances or during scheduled breaks.
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