Failure to Maintain Adequate Supply of Clean Linens
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain an adequate supply of clean linens to meet the needs of residents in two of four resident care units, specifically in the E Hallway and A Hallway. Resident council meeting minutes documented concerns from residents about linen availability, and the Nursing Home Administrator acknowledged that nurse aides were discarding washcloths and that additional linen had been ordered. Observations over several days revealed that linen carts in these hallways frequently contained only a minimal number of washcloths and bath towels, with some instances where no washcloths were available for resident care. Staff interviews confirmed ongoing difficulties in obtaining clean linens, with reports that clean linens were not delivered to the floors until after 9:00 AM, despite care being provided earlier, resulting in shortages. Further observations showed that the facility laundry room had no additional linens available for staff use at the time, and the linen closet outside the E Hallway had a limited supply. The Nursing Home Administrator also reported issues with linens being sent out for laundering and not returned, and was unable to confirm that the facility maintained an adequate number of linens to meet residents' daily needs.
Plan Of Correction
The facility is unable to retroactively correct the available linen supply on E Hallway and A Hallway linen cart. This has the potential to affect all residents. The NHA/designee completed an audit of all linen carts and rooms to ensure there was available linen. To prevent reoccurrence, the NHA/designee will educate housekeeping/laundry aides and CNAs on facility linen laundering processes and the location of clean linen should the linen cart need to be restocked. To monitor and maintain compliance, the NHA/designee will ensure an adequate supply of linens is available in linen carts and supply closets weekly x 4 and monthly x 2. Results will be reviewed at QAPI.