Failure to Provide Timely Podiatry Care for Diabetic Resident
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with Alzheimer's disease, diabetes, and peripheral vascular disease did not receive proper foot care and treatment in accordance with professional standards of practice. Despite repeated recommendations from a wound care provider and a vascular physician for routine podiatry care, there was no documented evidence that the resident received podiatry services for an eight-month period. The resident had ongoing issues with foot ulcers and required specialized nail care due to their diabetic status, but only received podiatry care after a significant lapse. The resident's care plan addressed wound care and assistance with hygiene but did not specifically address nail care or the need for podiatry services. The facility lacked a documented policy or procedure outlining how podiatry consults were to be obtained or who was responsible for scheduling them. Interviews with staff revealed that while there was an informal process in place, it was not documented, and there was confusion regarding responsibility for arranging podiatry appointments. The absence of a clear, documented process contributed to the failure to provide timely podiatry care, as evidenced by the lack of podiatry visits during the eight-month period despite ongoing recommendations and the resident's medical needs.