Failure to Provide Required Bathing Assistance to Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents who required assistance with activities of daily living, specifically bathing, received care in accordance with facility policy and their care plans. Two residents with significant cognitive and physical impairments, including conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, amputation, and incontinence, were dependent on staff for personal care and bathing. Documentation and interviews revealed that these residents were not consistently provided with the required two baths or showers per week as outlined in their care plans and the facility's bathing policy. Review of bathing records showed that one resident received only one bath per week over several weeks, with no documentation indicating that the resident declined bathing. Another resident received five showers out of nine scheduled opportunities in a one-month period, with some weeks showing only one or no baths provided. Staff interviews confirmed that, due to staffing shortages and the absence of bath aides on certain days, residents often did not receive the scheduled number of baths. Staff also indicated that when bath aides were unavailable, CNAs were expected to provide baths, but this was not consistently done due to time constraints and workload. The facility's policy required that residents be scheduled for two baths or showers per week, with adjustments only if requested by the resident. However, both documentation and staff interviews confirmed that this standard was not met for at least two residents, and there was no evidence that the residents refused care. The deficiency was identified through observation, record review, and staff interviews, which consistently indicated a failure to provide the required level of personal hygiene care.