Failure to Consistently Provide Bathing and Personal Hygiene/Grooming
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a history of stroke and diabetes, who required staff assistance for activities of daily living (ADLs) such as bathing, shaving, and nail care, was not consistently provided with these services. Observations over several days revealed the resident had greasy hair, facial stubble, and long fingernails with black debris, indicating a lack of regular bathing and grooming. The resident reported that scheduled baths were often missed, and although staff would inform them of being on the bath schedule, the care was frequently not provided. Documentation showed that out of seven scheduled showers, only four were given, with an 11-day gap between some showers and no record of the resident refusing care during that period. Further review of the resident's care plan revealed that while it included interventions for bathing, toileting, oral care, and dressing, it lacked specific instructions or interventions for personal hygiene and grooming needs such as nail care and shaving. Staff interviews confirmed that nail care and shaving were typically performed during morning care or bathing, but for diabetic residents, nail trimming was done by nurses. However, the records did not specify which personal hygiene tasks were refused or completed, and repeated observations showed the resident remained unshaved and with long fingernails over several days.