Failure to Provide Sufficient Nursing Staff Resulting in Unmet Resident Care Needs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficient nursing staff to meet the needs of residents, resulting in multiple instances where residents did not receive timely or adequate care. Observations and interviews revealed that residents were left in soiled clothing and bed linens, experienced malodorous conditions, and did not receive regular personal hygiene care such as showers, nail care, and grooming. Documentation showed lapses in incontinence care and meal intake recording, with some residents not having their care needs addressed for extended periods. Residents and their families reported significant delays in call light responses, with some call lights going unanswered for up to 50 minutes. Several residents and staff members stated that the facility was understaffed, leading to unmet needs such as assistance with toileting, bathing, and getting out of bed. Therapy staff corroborated these findings, noting that residents often appeared unclean and were not being assisted as required. Resident Council minutes and grievance reviews further supported these findings, documenting ongoing concerns about insufficient staffing, lack of timely care, and unmet basic needs such as fresh water, snacks, and linen changes. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the facility did not have enough nursing staff to provide necessary services to maintain the highest practicable well-being of the residents involved.