F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
D

Failure to Provide Dignified and Respectful Treatment

The CottagesPella, Iowa Survey Completed on 06-04-2026

Summary

The facility failed to provide dignity and respectful treatment for one resident who required assistance with transfers, toileting hygiene, and perineal care, and who had intact cognition with a BIMS score of 13 out of 15. The resident also had acute cystitis with hematuria and an overactive bladder, and the care plan documented the need for one-person assistance with toileting and transfers using a front wheeled walker. A facility investigation documented that the resident reported needing to use the restroom frequently and said a CNA yelled at him, told him he knew better than to pee in his pants, and made him sleep in a bed when he did not want to. The DON noted the resident became anxious and fidgety while recounting the incident, and the CNA involved confirmed she had gone into the resident’s room multiple times because he needed to use the restroom a lot. The resident later reported that he felt he had frustrated staff because he had to get up often to use the bathroom, preferred the recliner instead of the bed, and felt staff were not nice and yelled at him. A family member recalled the resident being very upset after the incident and reported the resident described the CNA saying, "all you have to do is pee, pee, pee." Other staff interviews described the CNA as negative, angry, and frustrated with residents who were still up at the start of the night shift, and one CNA recalled the CNA telling the resident he needed to go to bed now. The DON stated that all residents are to be treated with respect and that negative treatment would not be tolerated.

Penalty

Inspection fine: $12,006
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

Resources

Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:

See other F0550 citations
Failure to Preserve Resident Dignity During Shower Transfer
D
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A resident with hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and vascular dementia was transferred in a mechanical lift from her room into a hallway to a reclining shower bed while only partially covered with a bath sheet, leaving her hips and buttocks exposed to others in the area. The resident said she did not like being left exposed, and staff stated the bed was usually placed outside her room because of space limits, though the DON expected her dignity to be preserved during the transfer.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Dignified Dining Assistance
E
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A facility failed to provide a dignified dining experience for two residents who needed feeding assistance. One resident was left waiting while another resident at the same table was assisted and a third fed himself, and another resident received a tray but was not helped until staff finished assisting someone else at a different table. A nurse aide stated there were only two staff in the room and four residents who needed feeds.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Cell Phone Use During Resident Care
E
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

Cell Phone Use During Resident Care: CNAs were observed by 11 confidential residents using personal cell phones while providing showers, peri-care, and other hands-on care, as well as while walking in halls, at the nurses’ station, and in the dining area. Residents said the phone use made them feel ignored, embarrassed, and that their privacy was violated. The DON and ADM stated staff should give residents full attention and not use cell phones in patient care areas, and the facility policy required residents be treated with kindness, respect, dignity, and confidentiality.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Knock Before Entering Residents’ Room
D
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A PTA entered two residents’ shared room without knocking or announcing herself first. One resident had arthrogryposis multiplex congenita, tracheostomy dependence, and respirator dependence, and both residents had severely impaired cognitive skills and were dependent on staff for multiple ADLs. The PTA stated she should have knocked and introduced herself, and the DON said staff should knock and announce themselves before entering to respect residents’ dignity and rights.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Missed Off-Campus Appointment Due to Poor Transportation Coordination
D
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A resident with quadriplegia and spinal stenosis missed a standing off-campus PT appointment after transport was not properly coordinated. A CNA escorted him to the pickup area, where Driver 1 said no driver was available and sent him back to his room, while Driver 2 later documented the trip as canceled without notifying the unit that she was available. RN staff did not verify transportation, and the resident became upset and reported feeling neglected and that his care was less important than other residents’ care.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Uncovered nephrostomy bag visible from hallway
D
F0550 F550: Honor the resident's right to a dignified existence, self-determination, communication, and to exercise his or her rights.
Short Summary

A resident with moderate cognitive impairment, MS, neurogenic bladder, an indwelling catheter, and a left nephrostomy tube had his nephrostomy drainage bag left uncovered and visible from the hallway while seated in a Broda chair with his room door open. The care plan directed staff to ensure he was appropriately covered and dignity was provided, and the RNCM and DON confirmed the uncovered bag was a dignity concern.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
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