Failure to Provide Timely Podiatry Care and Foot Maintenance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate podiatry care and services for one resident who was reviewed for foot care. According to the facility's policy, residents are to receive foot care in accordance with professional standards, including assistance with making appointments and transportation to podiatry specialists. The resident in question was cognitively intact but required substantial to maximal assistance with personal hygiene. The resident was scheduled for a podiatrist visit but was hospitalized at the time and, upon return to the facility, no subsequent podiatrist visits were scheduled or occurred. Multiple observations over several days revealed that the resident's toenails were long, thick, and untrimmed, with one toenail beginning to curve into the skin. Both the resident and staff confirmed that the resident had not seen the podiatrist and that nail care had not been provided. Staff interviews indicated that nail care was typically performed by CNAs or nurses, depending on the resident's medical condition, but in this case, the necessary care was not provided. The Resident Care Manager and Director of Nursing both acknowledged that the resident should have been seen by the podiatrist after returning from the hospital.