Failure to Provide Timely Foot Care for Resident
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide appropriate foot care for one resident who required assistance with activities of daily living and had a history of muscle weakness, major depressive disorder, left artificial hip, seizures, and fibromyalgia. During an observation, the resident was found in bed with thick, long, uneven, and discolored toenails, which the resident reported caused pain and became caught in bedcovers. The resident stated that it had been a long time since she had last seen the podiatrist and expressed a preference for podiatric care for her toenails. A review of the resident's clinical record did not show any documentation of foot or podiatry care. Staff interviews revealed that the resident had previously refused podiatry evaluation, but there was no evidence of recent or ongoing foot care being provided. The facility did not have an independent foot care policy, and the resident had not been scheduled for podiatry services until after the deficiency was identified.