Failure to Provide Timely Personal Hygiene Due to Linen Shortages
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs), specifically personal hygiene and bathing, to residents who required such care. Two residents who were dependent on staff for bathing and personal hygiene did not receive showers as scheduled, with one resident reporting not having had a shower for over two weeks. Both residents expressed that the lack of clean towels and washcloths contributed to missed showers and delays in personal care. Staff interviews confirmed that towel and linen shortages were a recurring issue, impacting their ability to provide timely hygiene care. Observations and interviews revealed that multiple units, including the Memory Care unit, 500-hall, and rehab hall, experienced shortages of towels and washcloths. Linen carts were often not restocked until late morning or afternoon, and clean linen closets were found empty during morning care times. Staff reported having to wait for laundry to be completed or for carts to be restocked, sometimes resulting in residents not receiving showers or having their beds made. Disposable wipes were available in limited quantities, but staff primarily relied on regular linens, which were insufficient to meet resident needs. The facility's laundry and linen management practices contributed to the deficiency. Staff described inconsistent restocking schedules, locked laundry rooms, and reliance on emergency supplies or family-provided items when shortages occurred. Despite recent purchases of linens and new equipment, staff and residents continued to report inadequate access to necessary supplies for personal care. The deficiency was further evidenced by direct resident complaints, staff interviews, and observations of empty linen storage areas during surveyor visits.