Failure to Consistently Provide Fresh Drinking Water to Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that fresh drinking water was consistently accessible to residents in accordance with their needs and preferences. According to facility policy, residents are to receive a fresh supply of drinking water, with new cups provided daily and refills occurring each shift and as needed. However, interviews with five alert and oriented residents revealed that fresh ice water was only reliably provided during the overnight shift, and not during the day or evening shifts unless specifically requested by the resident. Residents reported that water provided overnight would become room temperature by the time they awoke, and that staff did not routinely refill water during the day unless asked. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the facility's protocol was not being followed, as fresh ice water was not consistently made available to residents during all shifts. This deficiency was identified for five residents, all of whom expressed a preference for cold, fresh water and reported discomfort or dissatisfaction with the current water service practices. The findings were based on resident and staff interviews, as well as a review of facility policy.