Dignified Dining Experience Not Maintained
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a dignified dining experience for 2 of 16 residents observed during meals. Resident 54 had diagnoses including severe dementia with psychotic disturbance, anxiety, insomnia, impulse disorder, chronic kidney disease, and BPH. His record showed he was severely cognitively impaired, could eat independently, and required supervision, cueing, and redirection at meals because he wandered and was at risk of eating non-food items. Resident 45 had Alzheimer's disease, anxiety, hypertension, and osteoporosis, and her care plan noted she talked loudly to herself at times and had exit-seeking behaviors. During one lunch observation, two CNAs assisted Resident 54 and Resident 45 while carrying on a personal conversation about one CNA's cat. Neither CNA conversed with the residents, and the residents were not included in the discussion. In another observation, a CNA reached in front of Resident 54, removed an item from his hand, and said, "We don't do that!" During a later meal observation, Resident 54 was asleep at the table and was startled awake when a CNA abruptly placed a drink in front of him. The CNA repeatedly placed food and drink close to his face, spoke to him only when offering items, told him, "One more little drink," after he indicated he did not want more, and moved his meal ticket away when he reached for it. Resident 45 was observed using a dining chair to ambulate from her walker to the table, and staff did not intervene. When she pushed her chair away and asked why staff were asking where she was going, staff did not answer her questions. While she continued talking, the CNAs talked over her head about the cat and did not engage her in conversation. One CNA interrupted her by announcing, "Here's your soup!" and then, "Here's your crackers!" The DON stated staff should not have personal conversations while assisting residents during mealtimes, and the facility policy required person-centered care that maximized dignity, autonomy, privacy, socialization, independence, choice, and safety.
Penalty
Resources
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