WILKES-BARRE, PA - Federal inspectors documented serious care failures at Edenbrook at Hampton nursing home, including systematic denial of scheduled showers to residents and failure to provide counseling support to a resident who was verbally abused and threatened by staff.
Residents Denied Basic Hygiene Care for Weeks
The July 2024 inspection revealed that five out of 10 residents who required assistance with daily activities were denied their scheduled showers, with some residents going weeks without proper bathing despite facility policies requiring twice-weekly shower schedules.
Resident B1, who has diabetes and joint disease, told inspectors during the July 2 visit: "Staff sometimes don't give me a shower. They don't tell me nothing, they just don't come. I didn't get a shower on Friday (June 28)." Documentation showed this resident missed scheduled showers on June 14 and June 28, with no record of the resident refusing care.
The pattern extended facility-wide. Resident B2, who has Parkinson's disease and bipolar disorder, missed showers on June 19 and June 22. Most concerning was Resident B3, who stated he "has not yet been offered a shower since the resident's admission to the facility" - representing a complete failure to provide basic hygiene care from the moment of admission.
Two additional residents, B4 and B5, also experienced gaps in their shower schedules. Resident B5, who requires total assistance due to stroke-related disabilities and diabetes, received bed baths instead of scheduled showers on some occasions, with other scheduled shower times marked as "not applicable" without explanation.
Medical Significance of Hygiene Care Failures
Regular bathing serves multiple critical health functions beyond basic cleanliness, particularly for nursing home residents with complex medical conditions. For residents with diabetes, like several affected individuals, maintaining skin integrity through proper hygiene prevents dangerous infections that can lead to serious complications including sepsis.
Residents with neurological conditions such as Parkinson's disease face additional risks when hygiene care is compromised. These individuals often experience reduced mobility and may develop skin breakdown or pressure ulcers more readily. The moisturizing and circulation benefits of regular bathing help maintain skin health and prevent complications that could require hospitalization.
The psychological impact of hygiene neglect can be equally significant. For residents who are cognitively intact, as all the affected individuals were according to their assessments, awareness of poor hygiene can lead to feelings of dignity loss, depression, and social isolation.
Staff Member Verbally Abused Resident, Facility Failed to Provide Support
A separate but equally serious violation involved the facility's response to a documented case of staff abuse. On June 8, 2024, a nursing aide verbally abused and threatened a double-amputee resident, using profanity and making threatening statements that multiple witnesses confirmed.
Employee 7, a Licensed Practical Nurse, witnessed the aide call the resident a "no good filthy mother fcker" and noted that a registered nurse had to physically restrain the abusive staff member. Another witness, Employee 5, reported hearing the aide say "I'll drag your no-legged ass out of this motherfcker" while "aggressively slapping her chest."
The registered nurse who intervened described holding the abusive aide "by the shoulders to prevent her from getting closer to Resident A1" and confirmed it "took some time to get Employee 3 away from Resident A1."
Despite the severity of this incident and multiple witness accounts, the facility failed to provide any counseling or psychological support to the victim. The resident told inspectors he stayed awake until 1:00 AM on nights when the abusive aide was working because he feared she might attempt to harm him after her threats.
Critical Gaps in Mental Health Response
Federal regulations require nursing homes to provide therapeutic social services following incidents of abuse, particularly to assess and address psychological trauma. The facility's complete failure to evaluate the resident's mental state or provide supportive counseling represents a serious violation of these requirements.
Mental health support following abuse is crucial for preventing long-term psychological damage, depression, and anxiety. Residents who experience staff abuse often develop trust issues, sleep disturbances, and fear-based behaviors - all of which can significantly impact their overall health and quality of life.
The facility's Director of Social Services confirmed during the inspection that no supportive visits occurred and no assessment for psychological harm was conducted following the June 8 incident. This represents a systemic failure to protect vulnerable residents' mental health and well-being.
Broken Equipment Compromises Resident Safety
Inspectors also identified safety hazards involving essential resident care equipment. A sit-to-stand lift, crucial for safely transferring residents with mobility limitations, was found to be malfunctioning on the second floor. The left leg of the adjustable base would not move when activated, potentially creating fall risks during resident transfers.
These mechanical lifts are essential safety devices that prevent injuries to both residents and staff during transfers. When they malfunction, facilities must immediately remove them from service and ensure adequate backup equipment is available.
Additional Issues Identified
The inspection revealed several operational problems beyond the major violations:
- Staff training deficiencies regarding proper incident reporting and response protocols - Documentation failures where staff marked shower times as "not applicable" without valid medical or resident preference reasons - Supervision gaps that allowed the abusive aide to continue working with residents for an entire week after the threatening incident - Equipment maintenance failures that left essential safety devices in disrepair
Administrative Response Inadequate
When questioned by inspectors, the facility's Director of Nursing acknowledged that residents should have received their scheduled showers but was unable to explain why the care was not provided. This lack of administrative oversight and accountability suggests systemic management problems rather than isolated incidents.
The delayed response to the abuse incident - with the facility only beginning its investigation on June 15, a full week after the event - demonstrates concerning gaps in leadership oversight and resident protection protocols.
The violations at Edenbrook at Hampton reflect broader challenges facing nursing home oversight nationwide, where basic care requirements and safety standards continue to be compromised despite federal regulations designed to protect vulnerable residents.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Hampton House from 2024-07-02 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.
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