Failure to Provide Scheduled Bathing Assistance to Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specifically bathing, to a resident who was unable to perform these tasks independently. The resident, who had multiple complex medical conditions including chronic osteomyelitis, hemiplegia, and a documented unhealed pressure ulcer, required moderate assistance for bathing and was dependent for all transfers. According to the care plan, the resident was to receive assistance with bathing, hygiene, and grooming. However, a review of the electronic health record and facility documentation revealed that the resident received only three documented baths in the past 30 days, despite being scheduled for three baths per week. Interviews with staff and review of the facility's bath schedule and refusal binder indicated inconsistencies in documentation, with some staff stating the resident did not refuse care, while others noted refusals that were not consistently documented in the medical record. The deficiency was further substantiated by the resident's own report of not having received a bath in two weeks and expressing a desire for daily bathing. The facility's system for tracking refusals and bath schedules was found to be inadequate, as the resident was overlooked in the process and not all refusals or missed baths were properly recorded. The Director of Nursing acknowledged the lack of documentation and the failure to provide the scheduled care, confirming that the resident had not received a bath within the past two weeks as required by their care plan.