Failure to Provide Adequate Personal Hygiene for Dependent Residents
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide adequate care and services for personal hygiene to residents who were dependent on staff for activities of daily living (ADLs). Multiple residents with significant medical conditions, including surgical amputation, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, multiple sclerosis, contractures, dementia, and hemiplegia, were observed to have unmet hygiene needs. These included unshaven facial hair, long and untrimmed fingernails, and dirty contracted hands, despite being fully dependent on staff for these tasks. One resident with intact cognition and dependency for grooming was observed with a long, untrimmed mustache and beard, and reported that staff had not offered to shave or trim his facial hair, though he expressed a desire for this care. Another resident with a contracted hand and multiple sclerosis had long fingernails resting against her palm and reported repeatedly asking staff to trim her nails, but the care was not provided. Staff confirmed that this resident did not refuse grooming or care. A third resident, dependent on staff for personal hygiene due to cognitive impairment, was observed with a long beard and no documentation of refusal of care. The resident’s family member also confirmed the need for daily shaving. Additionally, a resident with diabetes, contractures, and hemiplegia was observed with long, dirty fingernails on a contracted hand. Staff confirmed the presence of debris and a yeast-like odor, and that the hand required cleaning and trimming. Facility policy required daily personal hygiene, including nail care and shaving, but documentation and observations indicated these standards were not met for several dependent residents.