Salem Lutheran Home
Salem Lutheran Home in Elk Horn, IA — inspection on October 8, 2025.
Found 1 citation. Severity: Standard violations.
Health inspections identify deficiencies that facilities must correct within required timeframes. Violations range from minor documentation issues to serious safety concerns and are subject to follow-up verification.
Inspection Findings
Review of the EHR page titled, Progress Notes revealed no documentation of showers/baths being refused.
Interview 10/8/25 at 12:00 PM with Staff A Nursing Assistant revealed residents should be showered or bathed every 3-4 days.
Staff A then revealed if residents miss their bath day then they are moved to the next day.
Staff A further revealed that if a resident refuses it will be in the charting in the progress notes.
Interview 10/8/25 at 12:12 PM with Staff B Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) revealed residents are supposed to be bathed 2 times a week.
Staff B then revealed that if a resident's bath or shower is missed they will try to move the resident to the next day.
Staff B further revealed nurses and CNAs are to chart if there is a refusal in the progress notes.
Interview 10/8/25 at 12:15 PM with Staff C CNA revealed residents are supposed to be bathed twice a week.
Staff C then revealed that it depends on staffing levels.
Staff C further revealed that the facility will pull a med aide to help.
Staff C then revealed refusals are normally charted, and then reported to the nurse.
Staff C revealed that CNAs will also report to the next shift if a bath is missed.
Staff C further revealed residents will be moved to the next day if they are missed on their bath/shower days.
Staff C revealed that it is not uncommon for residents to go several days in between baths or showers as staff will call in leaving the floor short.
Interview 10/8/25 at 12:20 PM with Staff D CNA revealed residents are bathed twice a week.
Staff D revealed that if baths/showers are missed or refused it should be charted, and CNAs will let the nurse know.
Staff D revealed sometimes they are short staffed, with no bath aid and residents miss baths.
Staff D then further revealed that it is not uncommon for residents to go for several days in between bathing related to call ins or being short on the floor of staff.
Interview 10/8/25 1:15 PM with the Administrator revealed that his expectation would be for residents to have baths/showers at least twice a week or per their request.Request for a policy from administration on frequency of bathing revealed no policy to review.
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