Resident Shower Preferences Not Honored Due to Staffing Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to honor and facilitate a resident's preference for daily showers, as required by regulations supporting resident choice and self-determination. Record review showed that the resident was scheduled for showers three times per week, but the resident expressed a desire to shower every day. During interviews, the resident reported being unable to shower as often as preferred due to a shortage of Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs), and stated that nursing staff informed her that additional showers could not be accommodated because of staffing limitations. The resident described experiencing negative emotions such as anger, sadness, and dread when unable to receive daily showers. Staff interviews confirmed that residents are not permitted to shower alone due to safety concerns, and that short staffing directly impacts the ability to provide showers beyond the scheduled times. The Unit Manager and Director of Nursing both acknowledged that while residents are allowed more frequent showers in theory, in practice, staffing shortages prevent this from occurring. The Director of Nursing specifically confirmed that extra showers are not allowed when the facility is short staffed, resulting in the resident's preferences not being honored.