Shirt Protectors Vs. Napkins

[DeanaG73 1]

The facility that I work at uses Shirt Protectors....however in reviewing F241 (Dignity) it clearly mentions discontinuing the use of Shirt Protectors and using napkins instead. (see below for a "copy & paste" excerpt)

 

I was wondering how many of you work at facilities that use Shirt Protectors? We use them in Skilled Nursing and in Dementia Care, however linnen napkins in Assisted Living.

 

Thanks for your reply

Deana

 

 

§483.15(a) - Dignity

The facility must promote care for residents in a manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances each resident's dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her individuality.

Interpretive Guidelines: §483.15(a)

"Dignity" means that in their interactions with residents, staff carries out activities that assist the resident to maintain and enhance his/her self-esteem and self-worth. Some examples include (but are not limited to):

 

 

1. 
   
   
2. Promoting resident independence and dignity in dining such as avoidance of:
   

o Day-to-day use of plastic cutlery and paper/plastic dishware;

 

o Bibs (also known as clothing protectors) instead of napkins (except by resident choice);

 

Edited August 9, 2009 by DeanaG73

[JoanneA1 0]

[font="Times New Roman"]Hi,

 

At our facility we do not use shirt protectors. We have some residents really need them though. I have one resident who doesnt have a clean shirt in his closed because he has such a hard time eating. He also goes out with us on field trips and i feel bad for him. The resident aids cant keep up with his laundry because he soils himself so bar. At our facility, they have cloth napkins, but I like the idea of shirt protectors if they wanted them. [/font]

[harrispatrice 0]

In my facility we use shirt protectors. The reason it is not a dignity issue as it pertains to the aforementioned tag is we must ask the resident if they would like to have a shirt protector. If the resident responds yes then it immediately becomes their right to receive one and thus you no longer have a dignity issue. You must make it a choice to escape those tags!

 

Patrice

[Jodiojodi 0]

In our facility we use shirt protectors. When the regs about having napkins instead of shirt protectors were first introduced to us back in June we decided that OK, we will start using napkins instead of shirt protectors, because quite honestly, I myself wouldn't want to wear a shirt protector (which is just another name for bib). Well, our residents would have none of it. They all wanted their shirt protectors back and we gave them to them. We just make sure that our staff members ask each resident before giving the shirt protectors to them, and we have it in their care plan that they prefer shirt protectors. It's all about choices and respecting the choices of our residents.

[coleizok 0]

We have new ones for our residents that are all the same color that is good for both men and women. We also ask the resident if they would like one, some will not eat without one. So that would add another care plan problem, yes it all comes under their rights and choice at meal time.

Edited August 13, 2009 by coleizok

[aRBeRec 0]

We recently purchased "clothing protectors" that look like cloth napkins, but have snaps to put them around residents' neck. They look as if they tied a napkin around their neck. We ordered them to match the table linens. They work fine, but a pain for laundry.

[turtle 0]

Interesting that this topic is here as we just purchased cloth napkins to use instead of clothing protectors. We will be implementing this tomorrow at breakfast. Our policy will be to offer the napkin instead of a clothing protector if the resident asks for one. We are encouraging all of our residents to try this first. However, if they ask for a clothing protector instead it will be documented in the care plan. Will let you know how it goes.

[angeliquepache 1]

Interesting that this topic is here as we just purchased cloth napkins to use instead of clothing protectors. We will be implementing this tomorrow at breakfast. Our policy will be to offer the napkin instead of a clothing protector if the resident asks for one. We are encouraging all of our residents to try this first. However, if they ask for a clothing protector instead it will be documented in the care plan. Will let you know how it goes.

 

 

Is this for all states or only certain states?? I work or a PACE program in CA and we use plastic forks, paper plates and the plactic/paper clothes protectors..hahaha I did print this up for the dietary dept. They said they never heard of it??????? Let me know please if ita all states.

[bamorgan 0]

The facility that I work at uses Shirt Protectors....however in reviewing F241 (Dignity) it clearly mentions discontinuing the use of Shirt Protectors and using napkins instead. (see below for a "copy & paste" excerpt)

 

I was wondering how many of you work at facilities that use Shirt Protectors? We use them in Skilled Nursing and in Dementia Care, however linnen napkins in Assisted Living.

 

Thanks for your reply

Deana

 

 

§483.15(a) - Dignity

The facility must promote care for residents in a manner and in an environment that maintains or enhances each resident's dignity and respect in full recognition of his or her individuality.

Interpretive Guidelines: §483.15(a)

"Dignity" means that in their interactions with residents, staff carries out activities that assist the resident to maintain and enhance his/her self-esteem and self-worth. Some examples include (but are not limited to):

 

 

1. 
   
   
2. Promoting resident independence and dignity in dining such as avoidance of:
   

o Day-to-day use of plastic cutlery and paper/plastic dishware;

 

o Bibs (also known as clothing protectors) instead of napkins (except by resident choice);

 

[bamorgan 0]

I work in a long term facility and we did use shirt protectors. We recently have decided not to use them due to dignity issues. We have purchased linen napkins. During this transition period, if a resident asks for a shirt protector we let them use it, we are hoping to eventually get everyone away from using them. Currently we have very few that asks for them, so slowly we are getting them away from using them.

 

Beth

[DeanaG73 1]

Is this for all states or only certain states?? I work or a PACE program in CA and we use plastic forks, paper plates and the plactic/paper clothes protectors..hahaha I did print this up for the dietary dept. They said they never heard of it??????? Let me know please if ita all states.

 

 

I am not sure what a PACE program is but these guidlines come from the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Here's a link to the entire document.

 

http://www.cms.hhs.gov/transmittals/downloads/R48SOMA.pdf

Edited August 21, 2009 by DeanaG73