Failure to Provide Adequate Hydration to Residents
Penalty
Summary
Surveyors observed that the facility failed to provide adequate hydration to residents in fifteen out of thirty-two rooms on the first floor dementia care unit. During observations conducted over three consecutive days, it was found that rooms 100 through 115 either had no cups of fresh water available for residents or the cups present were dated between November 14 and December 1, indicating that the water had not been replaced for an extended period. In contrast, rooms 116 through 132 had currently dated cups with fresh water. Specific rooms, such as 113 and 114, were noted to have water cups dated as far back as November 14, and room 101 had a cup dated December 1. All other rooms in the 100 to 115 range had no water cups at all. Interviews with staff confirmed awareness of the lack of fresh water in these rooms. A registered nurse acknowledged knowledge of the issue, and when the findings were presented to the Nursing Home Administrator and Director of Nursing, they denied prior knowledge of the hydration lapse and indicated they would investigate. The deficiency was cited under federal and state regulations requiring facilities to ensure residents are offered sufficient fluid intake to maintain proper hydration and health.
Plan Of Correction
The facility cannot retroactively correct this issue. All residents were provided fresh water cups for hydration. A facility-wide audit was conducted by the DON/Designee to assure that residents were provided fresh water cups for hydration. The DON/Designee educated nursing staff on the importance of assuring that residents were provided fresh water cups for hydration. Random room audits will be conducted to assure that residents are provided fresh water cups for hydration. Audits will be done weekly for four weeks, then monthly for three months or until compliance is achieved. Results will be discussed at the monthly QAPI.