Failure to Provide Timely Podiatry Care for Painful Ingrown Toenails
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes and acute spinal cord infarction experienced ongoing pain and infection related to ingrown toenails. Despite multiple complaints to staff and documentation in the medical record indicating persistent symptoms such as swelling, pain, redness, and drainage from the toes, there was no evidence that the resident was seen by the in-house podiatrist. Physician orders and care plans specified the need for podiatry services as necessary, and nurse practitioner notes repeatedly referenced the need for podiatry referral and follow-up. Observations confirmed the resident had a bandage on his toe and expressed a desire to see the podiatrist, stating that staff had not followed up on his requests. The facility's social service designee confirmed that the resident was not on the list to be seen by the podiatrist during the last visit, and there was no documentation of a podiatry assessment or intervention for the resident's ongoing foot issues.