Resident Left Uncovered and Exposed During Personal Care
Penalty
Summary
A resident with schizophrenia, depression, anxiety, adult failure to thrive, muscle weakness, poor memory recall, and total dependence on staff for all ADLs, including bed mobility, transfers, bathing, dressing, personal hygiene, eating, and toileting, was found undressed and fully exposed in bed. The resident’s care plan directed staff to allow extra time to complete tasks, encourage the resident to make choices as able, praise efforts, and report changes in functional ability to the physician. A family member reported entering the resident’s room and finding the resident completely undressed, lying flat in bed with nothing covering the body. The 7AM–3PM nurse aide assigned to the resident stated that while providing care she left the room to obtain cream, pulling the curtain and closing the door but leaving the resident on the bed without any covering. The 7AM–3PM RN supervisor reported that the family member informed her that the resident had been found exposed, and that the nurse aide told her she had left the room to get cream but denied leaving the resident uncovered. The DON stated it had not been reported to her that the resident was found exposed, and confirmed that facility policy requires all residents to be treated with dignity and respect. The DON acknowledged that the resident was not treated with dignity when left in bed without being covered and that the nurse aide made an error in judgment. The facility’s Resident Rights policy states that residents have the right to a dignified existence and to be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity.
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