Residents rights

Specialties Geriatric

Published

As an resident in a SNF do I have the right to choose my CNA?

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Specializes in Emergency, Telemetry, Transplant.

Are you actually a resident at a SNF or are you a CNA/CNA student?

If you are a student give us some ideas of your own and we can go from there.

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I'm a resident.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Not necessarily as it depends on current census and staffing schedules. Unless there is a specific issue why you don't want a specific CNA to care for you that would need to be discussed with facility management to make your request. It's not a right to pick and choose caregivers when a resident in a facility.

Upon admission you should have been given a copy of the patient/resident bill of rights. It should be also posted in the facility. Ask your case manager or social worker for a copy if need be. You do have a right to make arrangements to pay out of pocket for private caregivers from an agency of your choosing, but it's rare that patients or families have the funds to do so.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

I will add though a resident (or family member/next of kin/power of attorney if resident not able to make needs known) does have the right to choose their physician. There is no right to choose a particular CNA or nurse, unless the resident has the right (and financial means) to hire a private duty agency caregiver.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.

Welcome to AN!

I am curious why do you want to choose your CNA? Is there a problem? You have the right to be treated with respect and dignity. It is YOUR home after all. Ask to speak with the supervisor or a patient advocae of available. If you have a complaint and it seems you have access to the internet...you can make a complaint at your states ombudsman.

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OK, here's the deal I have been a quadriplegic for 36 years. I put myself into a SNF for the first time late 2010. Currently I'm having a problem healing decub's caused in a different facility. For months tis facility gave me the same cna (she took excellent care of me). Other cna's started saying that she was spending to much time with me. Every day now new cna. It's hard to tell each one how to care for me some have left crying because I get frustrated and stubborn and don't want to tell them what to do. I just want Margaret back.

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Specializes in Complex pedi to LTC/SA & now a manager.

Why not request a care planning conference so that everyone is clear on your needs and preferences? You have a right to participate in the care plan. Perhaps if Margaret knows your routine arrangements can be made for her to orient other staff to your preferred routine. If you developed a bond and she was truly spending a disproportionate amount of time with you and unable to care for her other patients the facility may have had to reassign her to ensure all patients receive adequate care in a timely manner. You may have inadvertently developed a bias towards her care, not unexpected as you are human after all. And as such are unable to give other staff a chance to care for you because you are easily frustrated if they are not working the way your preferred CNA cares for you.

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