Delay in Providing Timely Incontinence Care
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when staff failed to provide timely assistance with activities of daily living (ADL) for a resident who required help with toileting and hygiene due to urinary incontinence. The resident, who had diagnoses including overactive bladder and unspecified urinary incontinence, was observed crying in her wheelchair in the hallway after experiencing an episode of incontinence. Despite informing staff members, including an LPN and a CNA Supervisor, of her situation and visibly displaying distress, the resident did not receive prompt incontinence care. The LPN stated she would find a CNA to assist, and the CNA Supervisor acknowledged the resident's statement about being wet but did not provide immediate help, instead only showing the resident where her clothes were located. The resident continued to seek assistance, wheeling herself through the hallway and expressing her need for clean clothes and incontinence care. It was not until approximately 42 minutes after the initial observation that a CNA provided the necessary care. Interviews with staff confirmed that facility policy required residents to be changed within 15 to 20 minutes after a known episode of incontinence. The delay in providing care was contrary to this policy, and staff acknowledged the expectation for timely assistance following incontinence episodes.