Failure to Honor Resident Bathing Preferences and Facility Bathing Policy
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with diagnoses including cerebral infarction, acute respiratory failure with hypoxia, dysphasia, and bilateral paralysis, who had no cognitive deficits and required assistance for transfers and activities of daily living, was not provided with bathing opportunities in accordance with facility policy and her expressed preferences. The resident reported not receiving routine showers twice a week and not being offered bed baths between scheduled shower days. She also stated that staff would not assist with her hair care due to its length, requiring her to wait for her sister to visit for grooming. Review of the resident's medical record and facility documentation confirmed that only four showers were provided over a period of approximately three weeks, with no documentation available to verify additional showers or bed baths. Facility policy required that residents be offered showers at least twice weekly and bed baths daily, but this was not consistently documented or provided for the resident in question. Interviews with the DON and Regional Nurse confirmed the expectation for regular bathing and acknowledged the lack of compliance with facility protocols.