R432-200-16. General Resident Care Policies

(1) Each resident shall be treated as an individual with dignity and respect in accordance with Residents' Rights (R432-200-12).

(2) Each facility shall develop and implement resident care policies to be reviewed annually by the health services supervisor.

(3) These policies shall address the following:

(a) Each resident upon admission shall be oriented to the facility, services, and staff.

(b) Each admission shall comply with R432-200-13(1).

(c) Each resident shall receive care to ensure good personal hygiene. This care shall include bathing, oral hygiene, shampoo and hair care, shaving or beard trimming, fingernail and toenail care.

(d) Linens and other items in contact with the resident shall be changed weekly or as the item is soiled.

(e) Each resident shall be encouraged and assisted to achieve and maintain the highest level of functioning and independence including:

(i) teaching the resident self-care,

(ii) assisting residents to adjust to their disabilities and prosthetic devices,

(iii) directing residents in prescribed therapy exercises, and

(iv) redirecting residents interests as necessary.

(f) Residents must be reevaluated annually to determine if a less restrictive setting might be more appropriate to help them achieve independence.

(g) Each resident shall receive care and treatment to ensure the prevention of decubiti, contractions, and deformities.

(h) Each resident shall be provided with good nutrition and adequate fluids for hydration.

(i) All residents shall have ready access to water and drinking glasses;

(ii) Residents unable to feed themselves shall be assisted to eat in a prompt, orderly manner;

(iii) Residents shall be provided with adapted equipment to assist in eating and drinking.

(i) Visual privacy shall be provided for each resident during treatments and personal care.

(j) Call lights or signals (where required) shall be answered promptly.

(k) Humidifier bottles on oxygen equipment shall be sterile and changed every 24 hours or at the manufacturers direction.

(4) Notification of Family.

The person in charge shall immediately notify the resident's family or guardian of any accident, injury, or adverse change in the resident's condition after the first attempt to notify the physician. This notification shall be documented in the resident's record.