Failure to Provide Timely Podiatry Services
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with multiple complex medical diagnoses, including severe cognitive impairment, was not provided with timely podiatry services. The resident's electronic medical record indicated that they were not seen by the podiatrist due to the presence of COVID-19 positive residents on their floor, and a note was made to reschedule the appointment. However, there was a significant delay, as the resident was not seen by the podiatrist for eight to nine months. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the expectation was for nursing to notify social services to ensure residents were placed on the podiatry list, and that the in-house podiatrist returned every 62 days to follow up with missed residents. Despite these procedures, the system failed, resulting in the resident missing necessary podiatry care for an extended period. The facility did not provide a policy for podiatry care when requested.