Failure to Provide Sufficient Linens and Maintain Sanitary Environment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient clean linens for resident care, resulting in a lack of a clean and sanitary environment for at least one resident. A resident with morbid obesity, major depression, anxiety, and lymphedema was observed to have waited several hours after a bowel movement before being cleaned, due to the unavailability of clean washcloths and towels. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) reported that they frequently run out of linens and must wait for laundry to deliver clean supplies or search other units and laundry areas. During care, staff had to use towels instead of washcloths and repeatedly left the resident's room to find additional supplies, as the linen closet was empty. Interviews with staff and the Housekeeping/Laundry Supervisor confirmed ongoing issues with linen shortages, with staff admitting to hiding linens in various locations throughout the facility to ensure availability when supplies ran low. A search by management revealed dozens of towels and washcloths hidden in resident rooms, empty rooms, and other areas. These actions and inactions led to delays in providing necessary hygiene care and compromised the resident's right to a clean, comfortable, and homelike environment.