Failure to Provide Adequate Bathing Assistance for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide an adequate number of baths for two residents who were dependent on staff for bathing assistance. One resident, with diagnoses including heart failure, depression, and obesity, was cognitively intact and had a care plan specifying showers on Tuesdays and bed baths on Fridays. Documentation showed missed baths, with gaps of up to ten days between bathing, and instances where refusals were recorded without the resident actually refusing. There was also a lack of follow-up documentation or staff response to missed or allegedly refused baths, despite facility policy requiring notification and follow-up by nursing staff. Another resident, with moderate cognitive impairment, diabetes, recent UTI, Parkinson's disease, dementia, and pressure ulcers, was also dependent on staff for bathing and required two-person assistance. The care plan addressed resistance to care and outlined steps for staff to follow if the resident refused. However, documentation revealed a seven-day gap between showers, coinciding with the scheduled bath aide's vacation, and staff interviews confirmed the resident had not refused showers. Facility policy required regular bathing to maintain hygiene and prevent skin issues, but this was not consistently followed.