Insufficient Nursing Staff Resulting in Delayed Resident Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient nursing staff on the 2nd floor, as determined by their own facility assessment, to meet the needs of 47 residents. Multiple residents reported excessive wait times for call bell responses, with one resident stating they waited up to 30 minutes for assistance to use the bathroom, resulting in episodes of incontinence. Another resident expressed concern about not being able to go outside to smoke, particularly on weekends when staffing was lower. Staff interviews confirmed that there were not enough staff to meet residents' needs, leading to delays in care, including residents being left in soiled briefs for up to two hours and not being able to attend activities due to lack of assistance. Resident Council meeting minutes and interviews with both residents and staff indicated that the issue was more pronounced during the 3-11 and 11-7 shifts, as well as on weekends, when staffing levels were reduced. Residents reported being put to bed in their day clothes or left up until the next shift due to insufficient staff. The care plan review for one resident showed interventions for bowel incontinence, but the resident still experienced long waits for assistance. Overall, the deficiency was evidenced by consistent reports and documentation of unmet care needs and delayed responses due to inadequate staffing.