Inaccurate Assessment of Resident's Eating Assistance Needs
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately assess a resident's need for assistance with eating, as evidenced by discrepancies between the Minimum Data Set (MDS) and the resident's care plan. The MDS assessment indicated that the resident required partial to moderate assistance with eating, while the care plan documented a need for extensive assistance. This inconsistency was not identified or reconciled by facility staff, resulting in an inaccurate reflection of the resident's care needs. The resident in question had multiple diagnoses, including Alzheimer's disease with late onset, underweight status, vascular dementia, glaucoma, blindness in one eye, a contracture in the left hand, and dysphagia. Observations showed the resident eating independently with her hands due to visual impairment, but also sitting idle at times until staff provided assistance. Interviews with the DON and MDS nurse confirmed the care plan required extensive assistance, and acknowledged the inconsistency between the care plan and the MDS assessment.