Failure to Provide Consistent Oral Care Assistance
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate oral care to a resident who was unable to perform oral hygiene independently. The resident, who had a history of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following a cerebral infarction and muscle weakness, was cognitively intact and required assistance with activities of daily living. According to the medical record and oral care log, staff did not consistently offer or provide oral care twice daily as recommended by the dentist. Documentation showed that on multiple dates, oral care was only offered once per day, and the resident confirmed that staff typically only brushed his teeth on days when he received a shower. Interviews with the resident and the Director of Nursing verified the lack of documentation and the inconsistency in providing oral care as required by facility policy. The facility's policy stated that appropriate care and services would be provided to residents unable to carry out activities of daily living independently, but this was not followed in the case of this resident.