Failure to Provide Timely Podiatry Services
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident did not receive timely podiatry services. The resident, who had diagnoses including muscle weakness, vascular dementia, and epilepsy, was observed to have long, thickened, yellow toenails on both great toes. Review of the medical record showed that although the resident was readmitted to the facility, a consent for auxiliary services, including podiatry, was not obtained until several weeks later. During this period, the resident did not receive podiatry care, and the need for such services was not recognized until a care conference was held. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that there was no specific policy in place for podiatry services, and the social services designee was unaware of the resident's need for podiatry until the care conference. The podiatrist's last visit to the facility occurred prior to the consent being obtained, and the next scheduled visit was after the deficiency was identified. The lack of timely consent and absence of a clear process for arranging podiatry services led to the resident not receiving necessary foot care.