Failure to Provide Necessary Nail Care for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident, who was dependent on staff for activities of daily living due to a history of a motorcycle accident, neuralgia, and the need for a geri-chair, did not receive necessary assistance with personal hygiene, specifically nail care. The resident had moderate cognitive impairment and required staff support for grooming and hygiene. Observations revealed the resident's fingernails were long, yellow, and had dirt and grime embedded underneath. The resident reported having requested nail trimming for over a month without receiving assistance, and staff interviews confirmed the resident's dependence on staff for nail care. Staff members, including a CNA, the infection prevention nurse, and the DON, all observed and acknowledged the resident's unclean and overgrown fingernails but did not provide the required care or report the need for intervention. The facility's policy required staff to provide necessary care and services to maintain residents' grooming and personal hygiene, but this was not followed for the resident in question, resulting in a failure to meet the resident's needs for nail care.