CALGARY- Several people with disabilities at Calgary’s Fanning Centre say they are unable to maintain basic personal hygiene at the facility due to a number of practices, including limited opportunities for bathing.
“Going out on the bus is embarrassing because you are always wondering ‘OK, does the chair smell? Do I smell?’” Terena Denham told Global News. “On our unit they do wash you, but the quality of the wash depends on the staff member.”
Residents also have complaints about other practices.
“They don’t wash the catheters,” said Debi Savoie. “They are changed once a week- they should be rinsed every day with vinegar and water, but they are not. People actually end up wheeling around smelling bad.”
Residents also say the centre turns down the temperature of the hot water at night, so if someone has an accident they are forced to clean up using cold water or wait until morning.
The Fanning Centre is operated by Carewest, which is owned by Alberta Health Services.
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AHS has denied there is a one-bath-a week policy, and says the frequency of washing is based on the individual needs of clients.
The Alberta government has promised to investigate the one bath complaints and says the results will be known in January.
The care concerns raised by the residents will be reviewed by the management team at the Carewest Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre.
AHS issued the following statement to Global News Thursday evening:
“Until this process begins tomorrow, the information below details the processes in place at Carewest in general, and at the Dr. Vernon Fanning Centre more specifically, with respect to the concerns raised by some residents.
Catheters: Catheterizing process is detailed in Carewest policies and procedures. We expect all our staff to follow these procedures. If it is brought to the attention of Carewest Managers that someone was not following standards or procedures, an investigation would occur followed by education or discipline if warranted. The allegation of unclean catheters has not been expressed before now and in response Carewest will initiate an investigation of these complaints immediately. Carewest nurses must perform all catheterizations using sterile equipment. Only nurses who have been provided with education and/or have demonstrated competence in the insertion of a catheter may perform this procedure.
No hot water: Carewest would not turn off the hot water every night. Hot water would be required for night-time care, cleaning of equipment and any of the other care or hospitality requirements. We do regular tests of the temperature of our water before each use. Government standards govern water temperature. Maintenance and water temperature checks are conducted regularly. All care staff and Physical Plant Services staff receive mandatory education on bathing policy and procedures and bathing equipment monitoring. Bathing duties and equipment safety monitoring will only be assigned to staff who have been assessed as competent. Management conduct spot checks to assess and ensure compliance. A preventative maintenance program reviews the functioning of all bathing tubs, including temperature gauges, water mixing valves and alarms to ensure maximum water temperatures are not exceeded. Prior to the first bath of the day, a daily water temperature check must be preformed and logged. If the water temperatures is below 38 degrees C or above 41 degrees C, staff must put an “Out of Service” sign on the tub and notify Physical Plant Services staff.”
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