Untimely Incontinence Care and Missing Documentation
Summary
The facility failed to ensure Resident #13’s right to be treated with dignity was honored when incontinence care was not provided in a timely manner and documentation of care was missing on multiple shifts. Resident #13 was admitted with diagnoses including progressive multiple sclerosis, major depressive disorder, insomnia, gastroparesis, and constipation, and had a BIMS score of 15 out of 15, indicating cognitive intactness. The resident reported that for at least the prior two weeks, she had to sit in her own bowel movement for over an hour waiting for care on Thursdays and Fridays, and stated that the same aides on both shifts were repeatedly not timely with incontinence care. During interview, Resident #13 stated she became upset when she had to wait so long and said she only used her call light when she had a bowel movement. She described that an aide would come, turn off the call light, say they would be right back, and then take over an hour to return and provide care. On a later interview, the resident stated she was nervous about the upcoming Thursday and Friday shifts and had anxiety about not being cared for timely if she needed to use the bathroom. She also stated she hoped things would improve while the State was at the facility. Record review showed no documentation of refusals for incontinent care or behaviors related to rejection of care in the progress notes, and the care plan directed staff to encourage the resident to voice concerns and provide reassurance. The bowel task record showed numerous Thursday and Friday shifts with no care documented across several months, including multiple day and evening shifts and one overnight shift. Staff interviews confirmed that residents should be checked or changed at least every two hours and as needed, and that every episode of incontinence care should be documented, including refusals or when care was not needed. The DON stated the resident’s care plan and bowel/bladder documentation should be followed, that the situation was not the facility’s expectation, and that the resident had the right to receive incontinent care when needed.
Penalty
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