Lost Privacy John Wilson was making rounds of the patients in a long-term care facility when he noticed a nursing assistant with an elderly resident. The assistant was preparing to move the resident...

Lost Privacy

John Wilson was making rounds of the patients in a long-term care facility when he noticed a nursing assistant with an elderly resident. The assistant was preparing to move the resident onto a commode, but the curtain was not pulled. John moved to the bedside and simply said, “Here, let me get that curtain for you,” and pulled the curtain around to protect the resident’s privacy. When the nursing assistant was finished, John approached her privately and said, “I am concerned that you did not pull the curtain when you were assisting the resident to the commode. You must always remember to pull the curtain before providing care to assure that our residents are provided privacy. Will you agree to work on that?” He avoided making general statements such as, “You are inconsiderate and careless of the modesty of our residents,” but was specific about the incorrect behavior and the rationale for the correct behavior. Also, John asked the nursing assistant to make a commitment to changing her own behavior.