Failure to Provide Dental Follow-Up and Social Services for Independent Living
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to provide medically-related social services to support a resident's dental health and ability to live independently. The resident, who had post-polio syndrome resulting in muscle weakness, was evaluated by a dentist who recommended an urgent biopsy for a dental abscess. However, there was no documentation that the biopsy was ever ordered or completed. Interviews with the Social Services Director (SSD) and Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the biopsy had not been arranged, and the resident stated the procedure was never done. Additionally, the resident expressed frustration about not receiving adequate assistance to obtain a new identification card, which was necessary for her goal of living independently. Although the SSD had initially made an appointment at the DMV, the resident still did not have a new ID card. The MDS RN attempted to help but encountered barriers due to missing documents and physical limitations, and reported these issues to the SSD. Documentation and interviews confirmed that the SSD did not follow up further, leaving the resident upset and without the necessary identification.