Failure to Ensure Dignified Response to Call Light and Dining Experience
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a dignified environment and respect resident rights during dining and in response to call light use for one resident. The resident is an older female with multiple diagnoses including neuromyelitis optica, difficulty in walking, muscle disorder, lack of coordination, cognitive communication issues, depression, anxiety, aphasia, and moderate cognitive impairment as evidenced by a BIMS score of 12. On the survey date, she was observed in bed, alert, oriented, groomed, missing teeth, and able to make her needs known. She reported needing to be changed and stated she had been pressing the call light without response. When she pressed the call light in the surveyor’s presence, there was no light at the call panel, no audible sound, and no light above the door. She stated that when she presses the call light staff do not come, that this happens all the time, and that a CNA had said she would return but did not, leaving her needing incontinence care. Later that day, a CNA entered the room to provide incontinence care and then prepared to feed the resident. The resident’s meal was served on a Styrofoam plate with a plastic fork, and the CNA stood the entire time while feeding her. The CNA acknowledged that she was supposed to sit when feeding residents but stated she liked to stand sometimes so she did not get tired, and she did not know why the resident was being served on paper products. The DON and ADON both stated that staff should sit when feeding residents, that this is a dignity issue, and that residents should not feel rushed and should be engaged at eye level. The ADON also stated the resident had no restriction requiring use of paper products. Facility policies and the Resident’s Rights document require CNAs to treat residents with kindness, dignity, and respect, create and maintain an atmosphere of warmth and positive regard, and adhere to all facility policies and procedures, including those related to meals and resident rights.
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