Failure to Provide Required Oral Hygiene Assistance
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with aphasia, right-sided weakness due to stroke, difficulty swallowing, and a feeding tube, who was dependent on staff for activities of daily living, did not receive appropriate oral hygiene assistance as required by facility policy. The policy specified that oral care should be performed at least twice daily. Clinical record review and care plan documentation indicated the resident required staff assistance for oral care. During observations, the resident was found with thick yellow secretions on the lips and inside the mouth, as well as pools of green mucus on the bed sheets, and staff present at the bedside did not provide oral care. The resident expressed a desire to be cleaned, and the DON confirmed that oral care was to be provided twice daily and as needed.