Failure to Maintain Odor-Free Resident Room Due to Accumulated Soiled Laundry
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to maintain a resident room free of odors from urine-soaked clothing, affecting one resident with severe cognitive impairment and substantial assistance needs for toileting hygiene. Observations and interviews revealed that soiled clothing was left to accumulate on the resident's floor, resulting in a strong odor. Staff acknowledged that laundry is supposed to be picked up at least every shift and returned the same day, but admitted that this was not always achieved. A CNA confirmed that the resident often removes her own clothes and leaves them on the floor, and that staff are responsible for picking up soiled laundry and assisting with toileting, but in this case, a large amount of urine-soaked clothing had accumulated over several days. A family member reported finding several large garbage bags of urine-soaked clothes in the resident's room and noted that the resident's recliner was also saturated due to lack of protective pads. The facility's policy requires maintaining a clean, odor-free, and comfortable environment, but this was not upheld in the resident's room. The deficiency was identified through observation, staff and family interviews, and review of facility policy.