Complaint Investigation Report

Allegation is that facility is short staffed (one staff per building) and residents' needs are not being met in a timely manner. Specifically, staff are not able to assist residents with showering as often as needed.

Three Med-Techs were interviewed on 2/24/22. One Med-Tech stated that staffing has been okay so far and there are 2 outside agencies providing staff- 2 staff are placed in Building B and in Building C and 1 staff is placed in Building A. The same Med-Tech stated that from 4-6 pm, staff are the busiest, and there are 2 caregivers that work 12 hours and 1 "floater" caregiver that works in building B and C but can go to building A if needed. A second Med-Tech stated the facility uses agencies if needed so there are 3 Med-Techs on each shift, one for each building, A, B and C. This Med-Tech stated that she will assist with showers, if needed, and the average time is 5-10 minutes, residents don't usually have to wait long and the mornings are the busiest. This Med-Tech stated that sometimes staff doesn't clear the pendant button so the response time can appear longer than it actually is and sometimes residents can refuse a shower. A third Med-Tech stated that the facility is using agencies currently with Covid cases and the staff from agencies "don't respond to radios and don't communicate well" and many work 12 hour shifts. This Med-Tech stated staff has communicated to management that additional caregivers are needed from 6 am- 9 am and from 4 pm- 7 pm but 1 Med-Tech is always sufficient at any time.

Three residents were interviewed on 2/24/22. One resident confirmed he does not use the pendant to request assistance and staff will attend to him in 5 minutes or less. A second resident stated she receives standby shower assistance and there are no issues with using the call pendant. A third resident indicated she receives a shower twice/weekly and there is a helper that helps her- and showers are given as scheduled and are "always on the right day". The same resident stated she has never had a pendant and always receives assistance when it's needed.

LPA reviewed shower schedules, printed on 3/3/22, for Assisted Living residents. Schedule showers are scheduled from once weekly to daily and notes are added as to the amount of assistance resident needs.

Based on information obtained through interviews and documentation reviewed, LPA finds the above allegation to be UNSUBSTANTIATED- meaning that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of the evidence to prove that the alleged violation occurred.