Failure to Provide Properly Fitting Incontinence Briefs, Compromising Resident Dignity
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide properly fitting incontinence briefs in accordance with residents’ assessed needs and the manufacturer’s sizing chart, resulting in compromised dignity for two residents. For one resident who was cognitively intact, frequently incontinent of urine, and weighed 400 pounds, surveyors observed that she was wearing two size 2 briefs taped together by staff to fit around her. The facility’s NGB & Bariatric briefs height and weight sizing chart indicated that this resident should have been provided size B/Bariatric briefs for her weight range of 360–440 pounds. Instead of the appropriate bariatric briefs, chux pads were delivered for this resident, despite her care plan indicating that it was very important for her to go outside when the weather was good and that her power wheelchair was to be used when out of bed. During interview, the resident reported embarrassment that her briefs did not fit and expressed concern about potential leakage if she used her new electric wheelchair during an incontinence episode. For a second cognitively intact resident who was always incontinent of urine and weighed 218 pounds, surveyors observed that she was in bed and not wearing a properly fitting brief. Staff had cut the fastening off the side of a size 2/Large brief so it would not scratch her, and only size 2/Large briefs were present in her room. According to the same sizing chart, this resident should have been provided size 3/XL briefs based on her weight. An LPN confirmed that the resident was currently wearing a size 2/Large brief and that no size 3/XL briefs were available at that time. The Nursing Home Administrator and Director of Nursing confirmed that the facility should supply appropriately fitting incontinence briefs for residents who require them and that bariatric residents should be ordered briefs rather than only incontinence pads, demonstrating that the facility did not ensure appropriate incontinence products were available and used for these residents.
Penalty
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