Failure to Provide Required Oral Hygiene and Hair Care
Penalty
Summary
Two residents who were dependent on staff for activities of daily living did not receive necessary assistance with oral hygiene and hair care, as required by their care plans and facility policy. One resident, with diagnoses including morbid obesity, major depressive disorder, and diabetes, was observed multiple times with uncombed, matted, greasy hair and foul breath. The resident reported not receiving help with brushing their teeth or shampooing their hair, despite being able to perform oral care independently if set up by staff. The resident also expressed fear of retaliation if they asked for their toothbrush and reported losing teeth since admission. Staff interviews confirmed that oral care and hair care were not consistently provided, and documentation did not always reflect the actual care given. Another resident, also dependent on staff for most activities of daily living and with diagnoses including morbid obesity, depression, and heart failure, was observed on several occasions with long, uncombed, tangled hair and foul breath. The resident stated that scheduled showers and grooming were not provided as planned, and requests for a haircut had not been fulfilled despite multiple notifications to the barber. Staff interviews revealed that oral care and hair care were sometimes omitted due to time constraints or other assignments, and that documentation of care did not always match the care actually provided. Facility staff, including CNAs and LPNs, acknowledged that grooming and oral care were important for resident dignity and health, but admitted that these tasks were sometimes neglected. The facility's policy required daily hygiene and weekly showers or baths, but observations and interviews indicated that these standards were not consistently met for the two residents reviewed. The lack of proper hygiene and grooming was attributed to staff not following care plans, inadequate follow-up on resident requests, and inconsistent documentation of care provided.