Untrained Staff Causes Injury During Resident Haircut
Penalty
Summary
A resident with a history of cerebral infarction, vascular dementia, aphasia, and moderate cognitive impairment received a haircut and beard trim from a CNA who was not a licensed beautician. The CNA used electric clippers, removed the guard during the process, and cut the resident under the chin, causing the resident to yell out in pain. Despite the resident's protests, the CNA continued the haircut, resulting in additional discomfort and visible injuries, including a large red area, razor rash, and nicks on the resident's neck and behind the ear. Multiple staff members and the resident's daughter observed and confirmed the injuries and the resident's distress following the haircut. The facility administrator acknowledged that the CNA was not authorized or trained to provide haircuts and that no CNAs in the facility were licensed beauticians. The facility was unable to provide any policy related to hair or beard cuts for residents, though an in-service sign-in sheet indicated that only licensed barbers or hairstylists were permitted to perform such services. The incident was further corroborated by interviews with other CNAs, who reported seeing the resident's injuries and hearing the resident's complaints. The facility's Resident Rights policy requires services to maintain residents' physical and mental health at their highest practical levels, but this standard was not met in this instance.