Failure to Maintain Resident's Wheelchair Cushion in Good Repair
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain a homelike environment for one resident by not ensuring the resident's wheelchair cushion was in good repair. Observations revealed that the resident's wheelchair cushion was torn on both corners, exposing the yellow foam underneath. The resident reported that the cushion had been in use for a long time, the holes had started small and grown larger, and the cushion had lost its padding due to age. The resident also stated that a replacement had never been offered. Staff interviews confirmed that the process for replacing damaged wheelchair cushions involved notifying therapy, but in this case, the torn cushion had not been addressed. The LPN acknowledged upon observation that the cushion should be replaced and indicated she would notify the appropriate staff. Facility policy states that residents have the right to a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment, but this was not upheld in this instance.