Inconsistent Room Stocking of Washcloths and Hand Towels
Summary
The facility failed to ensure a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment when it did not consistently provide washcloths and hand towels in the rooms of four residents. Resident #13, who had diagnoses including atrial fibrillation, depression, anxiety, osteoporosis, heart failure, dementia without psychotic disturbance, and anemia, was observed on one occasion with no hand towels or washcloths in the bathroom and later with only one hand towel and no washcloths. Resident #13 stated she frequently did not have these items in her bathroom and felt she had to ask staff repeatedly for something simple. Resident #26, who was cognitively intact and independent with personal hygiene and dressing but needed moderate assistance with bathing, reported that washcloth stocking in her room was inconsistent and that staff sometimes told her none were available. Resident #27, also cognitively intact and independent with bathing and toileting, said washcloths and hand towels were not consistently stocked and that staff sometimes told her no more washcloths were available until the next laundry delivery. Resident #27 also stated she sometimes had to use the corner of a previously used washcloth or towel to wash her face. Resident #28, who was cognitively intact and independent with personal hygiene, dressing, and toileting and needed minimal assistance with bathing, said the facility did not always have washcloths or hand towels available and that she sometimes had to use paper towels to wash and dry her face and hands. Additional observations found no washcloths or hand towels in the rooms of two other residents. Staff interviews confirmed that each resident’s room should have these linens, that CNAs were responsible for restocking them, and that the unit had frequent shortages. The DON also acknowledged that paper towels were not adequate for a home-like environment and that residents should not have to ask for washcloths because they should already be available in the bathroom.
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