Failure to Maintain Resident Nail Hygiene and Grooming
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate care and services to maintain good grooming and personal hygiene for two residents who were unable to perform these tasks independently. Observations revealed that both residents had long fingernails with visible dirt or black substance underneath. One resident, who had diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dysphagia, was noted to have severely impaired cognitive skills and required maximal assistance with activities of daily living (ADLs). Despite a care plan indicating daily assistance with ADLs, the resident's fingernails remained untrimmed and unclean. Certified Nursing Assistants (CNAs) acknowledged responsibility for daily nail care and recognized the importance of keeping fingernails clean to prevent infection. Another resident, with diagnoses including schizoaffective disorder, dementia, bipolar disorder, and diabetes mellitus, also had severely impaired cognitive skills and required supervision or touching assistance for ADLs. This resident was observed with long, dirty fingernails, and staff confirmed the condition and the associated risks. The care plan for this resident also specified daily assistance with ADLs and nail care as needed. Facility policy and CNA job descriptions required assistance with personal grooming, including nail care, but these standards were not met for the two residents identified.