Failure to Provide Timely Nail Care for Dependent Resident
Penalty
Summary
A resident with diagnoses including diabetes mellitus, heart failure, muscle wasting and atrophy, and vascular dementia was admitted to the facility and identified as having an ADL self-care and functional ability performance deficit, requiring staff assistance for personal hygiene and bathing. The resident's care plan included nail care as needed, and the facility's policy required daily cleaning and regular trimming of nails. During multiple observations, the resident was found lying in bed with extremely long fingernails and dark-colored debris caked underneath them. A registered nurse confirmed the condition of the resident's nails and acknowledged the need for trimming and cleaning. The failure to provide timely and appropriate nail care for this dependent resident constituted a deficiency in meeting the resident's ADL needs as outlined in facility policy.