Failure to Honor Resident Bathing Preferences During Isolation
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to honor a resident’s right to choice regarding bathing preferences while on transmission-based precautions for COVID-19. The resident was admitted with multiple diagnoses including type 2 diabetes, a personal history of COVID-19, hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, and chronic pressure ulcers of both heels. The resident’s baseline care plan documented a preference for showers rather than bed baths. The electronic health record showed the resident tested positive for COVID-19 and was placed on isolation precautions. Progress notes indicated the resident received a shower on 01/14/26, then later complained on 01/16/26 about not being able to shower due to being in isolation. The resident again requested a shower on 01/17/26 and was told by staff that the shower day was on Tuesdays. Further record review showed that on 01/19/26 the resident was upset about not being able to shower, stating they felt dirty and needed a shower. On that date, the resident received a partial bed bath in the early morning and a complete bed bath in the afternoon, and did not receive a shower until 01/20/26. The DON stated that residents are informed at the time isolation is initiated that bed baths will be given instead of showers, but also stated that it is policy to allow residents to shower when they ask, even while in isolation, and confirmed that going five days without a shower when a resident is requesting one does not meet her expectations. The CNA supervisor reported not recalling being notified that the resident was upset about not being allowed to shower while in isolation and stated that if the resident requested a shower, the resident should have been showered.
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