Unauthorized Haircuts Provided Without Consent to Cognitively Impaired Residents
Penalty
Summary
Three cognitively impaired residents, all with severe dementia or Alzheimer's disease and low BIMS scores indicating significant cognitive deficits, were found to have received haircuts without their consent. None of the residents had scheduled appointments with a hairdresser, and staff discovered the unauthorized haircuts during a routine shift, noting that one resident's hair was visibly uneven. The facility was unable to determine when or by whom the haircuts were performed, and an environmental audit did not reveal any immediate evidence such as scissors or hair in the area, except for a small amount of hair found in one resident's bathroom. Interviews with staff, including CNAs, the Director of Social Services, the Manager on Duty, and the DON, confirmed that the residents would not have been able to provide consent for haircuts due to their cognitive impairments. The facility's policy requires that residents be treated with dignity and respect, which includes obtaining proper consent for personal care services. Despite a thorough investigation, the facility was unable to identify the individual responsible for the unauthorized haircuts.