Failure to Provide Personal Hygiene for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate personal hygiene care for two residents who were dependent on staff for activities of daily living. For one resident with dementia and joint contracture, observations on consecutive days revealed fingernails extending approximately half an inch past the fingertips with a brown substance underneath, and no evidence of nail care or documentation of refusals in the medical record for the previous month. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident did not refuse care and that the facility's expectation was for staff to maintain the resident's nail hygiene. Another resident, diagnosed with cerebral infarction, hemiplegia, hemiparesis, and dementia, was observed on multiple occasions with unkempt, greasy hair and long, jagged fingernails containing a brown substance. The CNA responsible for the resident's care admitted to not washing the resident's hair and only attempting to clean under the fingernails. Both the ADON and DON confirmed that the resident's personal hygiene needs, including nail and hair care, were not met as required by facility policy and staff expectations.