Failure to Provide Required Assistance with Grooming and Hygiene
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and ataxia, who was cognitively intact but required supervision or touching assistance for personal hygiene, was not provided necessary care for grooming. The resident's care plan specified the need for maximal or substantial assistance with showers on specific days and supervision or touch assistance for grooming and personal hygiene. During an observation, the resident was noted to have a thick cluster of dark hairs on the chin and reported being unable to shave independently due to impaired hand control. The resident stated that assistance with shaving was supposed to be provided on shower days but was not offered that week. Interviews with CNAs and an LPN confirmed that the resident was unable to shave independently and was expected to receive assistance with shaving, particularly on shower days. Staff acknowledged that the resident was not offered shaving assistance as required, and the Director of Nursing Services confirmed that residents needing ADL assistance should receive it automatically, without having to request it. The failure to provide this assistance resulted in the resident not receiving appropriate grooming and hygiene care.