Failure to Provide Appropriate Hydration Equipment Causes Resident Distress
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide hydration in non-disposable cups, resulting in two residents experiencing distress and frustration. Observations showed that while lunch beverages such as juice, milk, and hot drinks were served in hard plastic cups, water was consistently provided in clear, soft plastic disposable cups. One resident expressed that using the disposable water cups made her feel as though she was in jail and caused her frustration due to shakiness and difficulty handling the cup. Another resident was observed struggling to grasp the soft plastic cup and was unable to drink from it, leading to visible distress and vocal expressions of frustration. Interviews with staff revealed conflicting accounts regarding the availability of appropriate cups. Dietary staff stated that there were sufficient hard plastic cups available in the kitchen and that nursing staff chose to use disposable cups for convenience. There was mention of a shortage of small hard plastic cups, but alternative sizes were available and could have been provided upon request. The facility's own standard of care policy indicated that residents should be provided with appropriate adaptive equipment to maintain or improve their ability to feed themselves, which was not followed in this instance.