Failure to Provide Timely Assistance with Activities of Daily Living
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary care and services to thirteen out of twenty-four residents who required assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Facility policy states that residents unable to perform ADLs independently must receive appropriate care to maintain nutrition, grooming, and hygiene. However, multiple residents and their families reported excessive wait times for staff assistance after activating call lights, with documented delays ranging from 20 minutes to over an hour. These concerns were corroborated by group interviews, resident council minutes, and grievance records, all indicating ongoing dissatisfaction with response times. Clinical record reviews revealed that affected residents had significant medical conditions such as malignant neoplasm of the colon, diabetes mellitus, dementia, hip fractures, Parkinson's disease, and other chronic illnesses. Many required substantial or maximal assistance with personal hygiene, mobility, and toileting, as indicated by their Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessments. Despite these needs, call light audits consistently showed prolonged response times, with several instances exceeding 30 minutes and some over an hour, directly impacting residents who were dependent on staff for essential care. Interviews with residents, family members, and facility leadership confirmed the pattern of delayed responses. Residents expressed frustration and described frequent experiences of waiting extended periods for help, particularly with ADLs. The facility's own documentation, including call light logs and grievance records, substantiated these reports. The deficiency was acknowledged by both the Nursing Home Administrator and the Director of Nursing, who confirmed that necessary care and services were not consistently provided to the identified residents.