Failure to Document Resident Refusal and Inventory Contents of Personal Belongings
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to properly document a resident’s refusal to have the contents of her backpack inventoried at admission, resulting in the facility being unable to determine what was inside the backpack, including the amount of cash the resident later reported missing. The resident was admitted with COPD with acute exacerbation, left lower limb cellulitis, and muscle weakness, and her H&P indicated she could make her own medical decisions. Her MDS showed moderately impaired cognition and that she required varying levels of assistance with ADLs, and also documented that it was somewhat important to her to take care of her personal belongings. Upon admission, an undated Resident Clothing and Possessions Form listed several items, including a backpack and “important documents,” but did not list the contents of the backpack or any documentation that the resident refused to have the backpack inventoried. The resident later reported to a complainant and family that a white envelope containing an unknown amount of cash in $20 bills was missing from her backpack. The complainant stated the resident recalled withdrawing approximately $200 before hospitalization and that the resident did not know when or where the money went missing and did not remember having the money while at the acute care hospital. In a separate interview, the resident stated she had withdrawn approximately $600 before hospitalization, combined it with other funds to pay rent, and had leftover money in several $20 bills, but she was unsure of the remaining amount. She stated she had the backpack at the hospital, kept it on her bedside table at the facility, did not put it away when sleeping or leaving the room, did not remember telling the facility she had money in the backpack, and did not report the missing money to the facility. Staff interviews and record reviews showed that the facility’s admission inventory process was not fully followed or documented for this resident. The Social Services Director and Director of Staff Development explained that facility practice and training required completion of an inventory list upon admission, including contents of items such as backpacks, and that refusals to allow inventory should be reported to a nurse and documented on the inventory form and in nursing progress notes, along with education about the importance of inventorying belongings. CNA 1, who completed the inventory, acknowledged she did not date the inventory list and stated she checked that the resident had a backpack but did not look inside because the resident refused, reporting that the resident said the backpack contained only important documents and no money or wallet. CNA 1 stated she reported the refusal to a charge nurse but did not document the refusal on the inventory list and admitted this was her mistake. Review of nursing progress notes showed no documentation of the resident’s refusal or of any education about inventorying the backpack’s contents. The DON stated it was important to document the contents of the backpack or the resident’s refusal and related education, and that without such documentation the facility was unable to determine how much money the resident had. Facility policies on admission documentation and theft and loss required that all personal belongings be accounted for and that a written personal property inventory be completed on admission, with residents and/or families cautioned about keeping valuables in rooms. The combination of the incomplete inventory list, lack of dating of the form, absence of documentation of the resident’s refusal to allow inspection of the backpack’s contents, and lack of documented education about the risks of keeping valuables in an uninventoried backpack at bedside led to the deficiency. Because the contents of the backpack were never itemized and the resident’s refusal and related education were not recorded in the medical record, the facility could not verify or determine the amount of cash or other valuables that may have been present when the resident was admitted, after she later reported missing money.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
Failure to Provide Dignified Feeding Assistance: A resident with cognitive impairment, depression, and vascular dementia was observed being assisted with breakfast by a CNA who was standing over her. The CNA described dignity measures during feeding, and the DON stated staff are expected to sit at eye level rather than stand when assisting residents with meals. The facility’s Dignity policy required residents to be treated with dignity and respect and to receive a dignified dining experience.
Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity and Respect: A resident with dementia with agitation, TBI, and PTSD was reportedly spoken to in a demeaning and profane manner by a CNA during care after becoming upset and requesting a shower following bowel incontinence. A second CNA witnessed the exchange, and the DON’s interview summary reflected the resident reported being called an idiot and hearing profanity used by the CNA.
A resident with an indwelling suprapubic catheter was observed in bed with an uncovered urinary drainage bag lying on the floor beside the bed and visible from the hallway. The resident’s care plan called for a dignity bag to cover the urine bag each shift and for the catheter bag and tubing to be positioned below the bladder and away from the room entrance, but the bag remained uncovered during repeated observations. An LPN confirmed the bag was visible and could not explain why staff did not cover it after the resident returned from a recent urology visit with a different drainage bag.
Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity: A CNA responded inappropriately after a resident with dementia struck her during care, telling the resident, "If you hit me, I will hit you back." The resident's family member heard the remark and became upset. The ADM verified the CNA was suspended and stated residents must be treated in a safe, helpful, and dignified manner.
Missing Personal Property Not Inventoried or Tracked: A resident with intact cognition and multiple chronic conditions had a wedding ring and fur coat go missing, but the facility had no completed personal property inventory, no dedicated missing-items log, and no documented investigation or objective evidence showing where the items went. The DON confirmed nursing staff did not itemize the resident’s belongings, and the administrator could not provide transfer records, transport checklists, or other documentation to account for the missing property.
A resident with left hemiplegia, vascular dementia, and anxiety disorder was not treated with dignity and respect during incontinent care when a CNA was rude and rough while attempting to position her. The resident repeatedly called for help and asked for the CNA to be removed from the room, and another CNA completed the care after the first CNA left. A nurse and CNA both heard the resident complain that the CNA was rude and mean, and the resident later reported the care had been rough.
Failure to Provide Dignified Feeding Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Resident 2 was cared for in a manner that promoted and enhanced her wellbeing, sense of self-worth, and self-esteem, according to the facility’s Dignity policy. Resident 2 was admitted and later readmitted with diagnoses including hypotension, major depressive disorder, and vascular dementia. Her MDS dated 6/21/2026 indicated that she was cognitively impaired and required setup/clean up to dependence on staff assistance with ADLs. During an observation on 7/29/2026 at 8:05 A.M., a CNA was seen standing over Resident 2 while assisting her with breakfast in her room. During an interview shortly afterward, the CNA stated that dignity during feeding includes ensuring the resident swallows, keeping the head of bed high, making sure the resident is comfortable, and providing privacy. The DON later stated that staff are expected to sit at eye level with residents when assisting with eating, rather than standing, for dignity and respect. The facility’s Dignity policy stated that each resident shall be cared for in a manner that promotes and enhances well-being, satisfaction with life, and feelings of self-worth and self-esteem, and that residents are to be treated with dignity and respect at all times.
Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity and Respect
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a resident with dementia with agitation was treated in a dignified and respectful manner when a CNA allegedly responded to the resident in a demeaning and derogatory way during care on the evening shift. The resident had diagnoses including dementia with agitation, traumatic brain injury, and PTSD, was wheelchair-bound, and depended on staff for mobility and ADLs. The resident’s behavior care plan directed staff to approach him/her in a calm and reassuring manner during episodes of increased anger or agitation. According to the facility’s report and witness statements, the resident was agitated after an episode of bowel incontinence and was yelling that he/she wanted a shower. A CNA allegedly told the resident to stop yelling like an idiot. After the shower, the resident complained that staff had taken too long to assist, and when the CNA explained she had been helping another resident, the resident responded with profanity. The CNA allegedly replied, well, fuck you too. A second CNA witnessed the exchange and later confirmed the statements, and the DON’s written summary of the resident interview indicated the resident reported being called an idiot and hearing profanity used by the CNA.
Uncovered Urinary Catheter Bag Visible From Hallway
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement measures in the resident’s plan of care and standards of nursing practice to promote dignity for a resident with an indwelling urinary catheter. During a tour, the resident was observed lying in bed with the bedroom door open and a urinary catheter bag containing a moderate amount of urine lying on the floor beside the foot of the bed, visible from the hallway. The resident appeared to be asleep and did not respond when the surveyor knocked on the door. Record review showed the resident had a plan of care for an indwelling catheter and an indwelling suprapubic catheter, with interventions including applying a dignity bag to cover the urine bag every shift and positioning the catheter bag and tubing below the level of the bladder and away from the room entrance. A later observation showed the uncovered urinary catheter bag remained in the same location and was still visible from the hallway. An LPN confirmed she was the nurse providing care, stated that aides and nurses empty and maintain urinary bags, and acknowledged the bag was uncovered. She also explained that the facility used bags with a panel to prevent contents from being visible, but the resident had returned from a recent urology appointment with a different drainage bag that did not include a dignity cover, and she could not explain why staff did not cover it after the resident returned.
Failure to Treat Resident with Dignity
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that one of three sampled residents was treated with respect and dignity when a CNA responded inappropriately during care. While providing care to a resident with diagnoses of dementia and difficulty with daily tasks, the resident punched the CNA in the chest. The CNA told the resident, "If you hit me, I will hit you back," and the resident's family member was in the room and heard the comment. The CNA stated the resident was aggressive at times, that the incident hurt and frightened her, and that the family member became upset, yelled at her, and demanded to speak with a supervisor. The Administrator verified that the CNA was suspended because of her action toward the resident and stated that all residents must be treated in a safe, helpful, and dignified manner.
Missing Personal Property Not Inventoried or Tracked
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an accurate personal property inventory and failed to safeguard a resident’s personal belongings. The resident was an older female with diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, bradycardia, chronic gout, and stage 4 chronic kidney disease, and she was wheelchair-dependent. Her MDS assessment documented a BIMS score of 15 out of 15, indicating intact cognition. The deficiency involved her missing wedding ring and fur coat, with no completed or provided itemized personal property inventory upon admission or during her stay. Survey interviews and record review showed the facility did not maintain a dedicated missing items log and instead used only a general concern/complaint log, which contained no entry for the missing ring or coat. The administrator could not provide an inventory sheet, missing property investigation, transfer logs, hospital transport checklists, or any other documentation to show the items left the facility with the resident during a hospital transfer. The resident stated that staff did not provide an inventory list on admission and that there was no established protocol, inventory log, or tracking method for missing personal items. The DON confirmed nursing staff failed to document or itemize the resident’s belongings on an inventory sheet or official record, and the record contained no documented inventory form, investigative report, missing item log, or follow-up entries regarding the missing items.
Rude and disrespectful incontinent care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure one of four sampled residents was treated with dignity and respect during incontinent care when CNA A interacted with the resident in a rude and disrespectful manner. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including left hemiplegia following cerebral infarction, vascular dementia, and an anxiety disorder. The MDS dated 06/2026 indicated a BIMS score of 14, and Section E documented no hallucinations, delusions, psychosis, rejection of care, wandering, or behavioral symptoms directed toward others. During an interview, the resident stated CNA A was rude while providing incontinent care and attempted to turn her onto her left side after she repeatedly stated she could not tolerate that position. The resident stated she repeatedly called for help and requested that CNA A be removed from the room, after which another CNA entered, CNA A left, and the care was completed. CNA B stated he heard the resident repeatedly calling for help and for Licensed Nurse B, entered the room, and heard the resident say, "Get this woman off of me" and describe CNA A as rude and mean. Licensed Nurse B stated the resident had been at her normal baseline before the incident and later reported CNA A had been rough during incontinent care. The Social Services Director stated the resident normally communicated her needs appropriately and did not typically make complaints regarding staff. The SBAR dated 7/06/26 documented the resident reported CNA A had been rough while providing incontinent care.
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