Failure to Provide Adequate Oral Care for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary assistance with activities of daily living, specifically oral care, for a resident with severe cognitive impairment who required extensive staff support for personal hygiene. Record review showed gaps in documentation of oral care over several days, and interviews with staff revealed uncertainty about the frequency and responsibility for providing oral care. Observations confirmed the resident had dried brown crustiness on her lips and a dry brown substance coating her teeth, indicating inadequate oral hygiene. The resident's family member also reported concerns about the state of the resident's mouth and had previously requested assistance with oral care. Staff interviews indicated inconsistent understanding and training regarding oral care procedures, with some staff unsure of the required frequency and others stating oral care should be performed daily or after meals. The facility's own policies required assistance for residents unable to perform activities of daily living, including oral hygiene, but these were not consistently followed. The lack of adequate oral care placed the resident at risk of diminished quality of life or decreased self-esteem, as directly stated in the report.