Resident's Rights - Privacy, Dignity, & Respect

F550 begins the resident’s rights section of Appendix PP and outlines the resident’s right to exercise their rights including the right of privacy and to be treated with dignity and respect.

The intent of the regulation states that this regulation lays the foundation for the resident rights requirements in long-term care. Each resident has the right to be treated with dignity and respect. All activities and interactions with residents by any staff, temporary agency staff, or volunteers must focus on assisting the resident in maintaining and enhancing his or her self-esteem and self-worth and incorporating the resident’s goals, preferences, and choices. When providing care and services, staff must respect each resident’s individuality, as well as honor and value their input.

Examples of noncompliance cited under F550 include but are not limited to:

• Staff standing next to the resident while assisting the resident to eat instead of sitting next to them.
• How the staff talk to residents or in front of residents such as cursing or being short/rude.
• Staff failure to close doors and/or curtains while providing cares.
• Not placing catheter drainage bags in a dignity bag.
• Instances of residents being exposed in common areas.
• Not answering call lights timely which leads to resident incontinence.

In an effort to maintain compliance, providers should observe staff interactions with residents. Ensure that they are treating all residents with dignity and respect. When walking down the hallway look into resident’s rooms to ensure that resident’s privacy is being maintained.