Failure to Provide Timely Foot Care
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely and necessary foot care for a resident, as evidenced by observations and clinical record reviews. The resident, who was admitted with vascular dementia and anxiety disorder, was found to have long toenails with redness around the sides during an observation in April 2025. The resident's clinical records indicated that they had not received podiatry care since August 2024, despite previous diagnoses of onychomycosis and treatments of debridement. The facility's policy requires assistance in obtaining routine and emergency ancillary services, including podiatry. However, the Director of Nursing confirmed that the resident had not received routine podiatry care since the facility switched podiatry providers in September 2024. This lapse in care was identified during a survey, highlighting the facility's failure to adhere to its own policy and ensure proper foot care for the resident.
Plan Of Correction
Facility cannot retroactively correct deficiency for Resident 1. Investigation concluded that facility podiatry service vendor sent consent to treat to POA X 3 with unsuccessful return. Guardian contacted regarding podiatry service and consult. Facility successful on consent and physician orders. Podiatrist scheduled to provide service to Resident 1 on 5/13/2025. Current residents reviewed to ensure all residents and POAs have been educated to podiatry services and required documents have been obtained for service provider to ensure timely service. Education provided to admissions director, nursing staff and social worker for Podiatry service with provider. A revolving schedule of resident services has already been occurring, and new residents are being scheduled for examination and treatment. Nursing will report to SS director and nursing administration when a resident requires podiatry services outside of the scheduled time frame. SS/designee will audit podiatry services monthly x 4 months to ensure all residents who have signed consents have been seen by podiatry with facility service provider.