Every finding on record at Kalispell Regional Medical Center Inc.

Based on observation, interview, and record review, staff member M failed to follow the agencys established policy and procedure related to patient rights; and failed to conduct a patient's physical assessment in a private area, to facilitate the patients dignity for 1 (#3) of 4 sampled home visit patients. Findings include: --- Review of the agencys policy titled, Patient Rights & Responsibilities, A401, last revised 2/2024, showed: -..."7. Respect and Dignity: The patient has the right to competent, considerate and respectful care in a safe setting that fosters the patients comfort and dignity... -8. Privacy and Confidentiality: The patent has the right, within the law, to personal informational privacy as manifested by the following rights: ... -C. To be interviewed and examined in surroundings designed to assure reasonable visual and auditory privacy. ... -D. To expect that any discussion or consultation involving his/her care will be conducted discreetly, and that individuals not directly involved in his/her care will not be present without his/her permission. ..." During an observation on 10/10/24 at 10:15 a.m., staff member M approached patient #3, who was seated in a lounge chair, in a common area of the assisted living facility where the patient lives. Another patient of the facility was seated in a lounge chair, approximately 4 feet away from patient #3. Staff member M introduced herself, then began to ask patient #3 personal questions related to her health status. Staff member M asked patient #3 if she was in any pain, if she was experiencing any nausea or vomiting, then asked her when she last had a bowel movement. After this question, the other patient got out of her chair and moved to another part of the common area. During an observation on 10/10/24 at 10:24 a.m., staff member M proceeded with her physical assessment of patient #3. This assessment involved vital signs, listening to lung sounds, bowel sounds, assessing her legs/feet for swelling, and looking at a skin tear on her left forearm and an area on her head. Staff member M asked patient #3 if she was experiencing any anxiety and patient #3 responded, ";Yes, anxiety, I feel it now." During an interview on 10/10/24 at 10:33 a.m., staff member M stated she did not always do the whole physical assessment in a common area of the facility. She stated she felt her questions to patient #3 were ";ok" after the other patient left the immediate area, but probably should not have asked patient #3 about bowel movements in a common area. During an interview on 10/10/24 at 1:31 p.m., staff member B stated when staff performed an assessment on a patient, it was expected the assessment would occur in the patients room or other private area.