Failure to Provide Scheduled Showers for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specifically showering, for a resident who was unable to perform this task independently. According to facility policy, residents who cannot carry out ADLs independently are to receive necessary services, including hygiene and bathing, in accordance with their care plan. The resident in question was admitted with diagnoses of epilepsy, diabetes, and contractures of both lower legs, and was assessed as cognitively intact but requiring substantial to maximum assistance with showers or baths. The care plan specified that the resident preferred and was to receive showers three times a week at bedtime, with sponge baths as an alternative if desired. Medical record review showed that the resident did not receive any showers during the months of February, March, or April, as documented on bathing sheets. During interviews, the resident reported having received only one shower in three years of residency, expressing feelings of being deprioritized for care. Staff interviews confirmed the established shower schedule for the resident's hall, and the DON acknowledged that residents care planned for showers three times a week should be receiving them as specified. These findings indicate a failure to provide the required ADL assistance as outlined in the resident's care plan and facility policy.