Failure to Honor Resident's Bathing Preferences
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to promote and facilitate resident self-determination by not honoring a resident's preference for the frequency of baths/showers. The resident, who required assistance with activities of daily living due to physical and cognitive impairments, was scheduled to receive baths/showers three times per week. However, documentation from both the electronic health record and shower sheets indicated that the resident was only offered or given a bath/shower on a few occasions out of the scheduled opportunities over a period of more than a month. Specifically, during March, the resident was offered three to four baths/showers out of thirteen scheduled opportunities, and in early April, only one out of three opportunities was offered. Interviews with the resident, staff, and the Ombudsman confirmed that the resident expressed dissatisfaction with the infrequency of baths/showers, reporting feeling dirty and not receiving enough personal hygiene care. Staff members, including nursing aides and LPNs, acknowledged the resident's complaints and confirmed that the resident was not being offered the scheduled number of baths/showers. The Director of Nursing also confirmed that the resident was not offered enough baths per week, as required by her care plan and preferences.