F0584

E

Failure to Ensure Consistent Availability of Linens and Laundry for Resident Hygiene and Comfort

Rochester Hills, Michigan Survey Completed on 02-25-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide a safe, clean, comfortable, and homelike environment by not ensuring consistent availability of bath linens and adequate laundry services for multiple residents. An anonymous complaint alleged there were not enough linens to meet residents’ care needs. During interviews, several CNAs reported that linens, especially towels and washcloths, were short almost all the time, with some shifts starting with no linen available. CNAs described cutting bath blankets and using pillowcases to clean residents, and stated that shortages delayed resident care and showers. One CNA stated they did not understand the linen system and noted that laundry was typically done only in the morning, with no one staying to wash at night.

Residents also reported not receiving necessary linens and hygiene items. One resident stated they did not get towels or washcloths and that staff had never offered them, relying instead on hygiene wipes brought by family and expressing a desire to use water for cleaning. Another resident reported that towels were short, they could not take showers as needed, and they had to “fight for a shower.” A resident described aides coming in and stating they were completely out of washcloths and towels and could not change the resident until they found some, resulting in the aides going on a “scavenger hunt” for linens. A family member reported that a resident had no laundry or clothes in the room, that a blanket brought from home had gone missing, and that most of the time the resident had no clothing available despite the family frequently refilling drawers.

Observations of the clean utility linen supply closets on multiple units showed no washcloths and only a few towels, and no towels or washcloths were seen in residents’ rooms during interviews. The Housekeeping Supervisor reported that one laundry staff member had left and another had a broken arm, acknowledged that the laundry department was responsible for stocking clean utility rooms, and speculated that staff or residents might be keeping extra supplies in rooms. When the laundry room was toured, washers were running mainly with sheets, and there were no clean towels or washcloths in the clean laundry bins. A separate, closed construction unit—unavailable to floor staff—contained numerous unopened boxes of new towels and washcloths that were not in circulation; the Housekeeping Supervisor had no explanation for why these were not being used. The NHA later stated that this was considered emergency stock and that they believed staff had been delivering needed linens, although this was not supported by staff or resident reports or surveyor observations.

Additional issues with residents’ personal clothing were identified. One resident, who was fully alert and oriented, reported frequently missing dresses and pants, and a room inspection with the NHA and Housekeeping Supervisor found only a few dresses and no pants. Another resident’s family member reported that the resident’s clothes and blanket repeatedly disappeared in laundry, that drawers were often empty of clothing, and that on the day of observation there were no clothes in the room except for a damp, urine-smelling shirt and pants that did not belong to the resident. The assigned CNA confirmed there were no clothes in the room and acknowledged ongoing shortages of washcloths, towels, and linens since starting work three months earlier, stating they had resorted to using wipes and draw sheets for care. The laundry aide reported linen shortages on the units, attributed mainly to being down two laundry staff, and stated that while supply was not the main problem, there was insufficient staff to get clothes and linens up to the floors. The facility had no written linen or laundry policy, and the only provided environmental services policy did not address laundering linens or residents’ clothing.

Following the surveyor’s identification of concerns, later observations showed the clean utility rooms stocked with ample washcloths and towels, and no further shortages were reported during the remaining survey period. However, the deficiency centers on the period when residents and staff experienced ongoing shortages of towels, washcloths, and clothing, the lack of a defined linen/laundry policy, and the existence of substantial unused linen stock stored in an inaccessible construction area while residents lacked basic linens and adequate laundry support for personal hygiene and comfort.