Failure to Provide Timely Podiatry Services
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with multiple diagnoses, including COPD, heart failure, and diabetes mellitus, was not provided with podiatry services despite being at risk for skin breakdown and having a care plan intervention to refer to podiatry. The resident had not seen a podiatrist since admission over a year ago, and documentation showed that although a referral was made by social services, no podiatry visit was scheduled or attempted. The resident reported experiencing pain due to toenail growth, and interviews with staff confirmed that the referral process was not completed and there was no documentation of a podiatry visit request. The facility's policy required a review of ancillary service needs within 90 days of admission and indicated that residents should be offered such services as needed, with records maintained in the medical record. Despite these requirements, the resident's need for podiatry care was not met, and the lack of follow-through on the referral resulted in the resident not receiving necessary foot care. The deficiency was confirmed through observation, interviews, and record review.