Complaint Investigation Report

On the allegations Staff not changing residents in timely manner, Staff neglecting resident resulting in pressure injuries, and Staff not responding to resident calling for help in a timely manner the following information was gathered: On 9/19/2024 a subpoena was served to Ace Home Health for R1’s medical records. The records revealed that between 1/23/2024 and 9/18/2024 R1 experienced worsening pressure injuries from lack of care and infrequent diaper changes by the facility staff. A care plan dated 10/31/2023 also stated that R1 is to have a call button and requires assistance with Activities of Daily Living (ADL’s). On 7/15/2024 W1 documented “R1 is left in soiled adult diapers during the night leading to severe excoriation of the skin and worsening of pressure injuries. Staff do not consistently respond to R1’s calls for assistance in a timely manner.” W1 also documented that they previously provided detailed instructions for staff to reposition R1 every 1-2 hours and promptly change R1’s diapers after incontinence; however, staff failed to consistently follow these instructions. W1 stated “I have repeatedly told the facility staff that R1 cannot sit in a wet diaper. It exacerbates R1’s skin injuries. They (staff) tell R1 that they will “get to it” but R1 ends up sitting in their waste for hours. R1 skin was bloody and raw on multiple occasions. W1 further explained that R1’s sacral pressure injury progressed to a stage 3 due to prolonged moisture exposure. W1 also noted that R1’s condition improves when wound care staff intervene, but the facility staff revert to neglectful care shortly after.

R1 stated in interviews that sometimes they ring their call bell, and no staff come for hours. R1 states that once they had to wait so long that they started crying from sitting in their own waste. R1 states that staff tell them to “stop yelling because they are not an animal” R1 reported delays in assistance occurring particularly during night shifts and further described the pain they experience from sitting in their waste.