Failure to Assist with Scheduling Podiatry Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide appropriate foot care for one resident by not assisting in scheduling a podiatry appointment as requested. The facility's policy requires that residents be assisted in making appointments and with transportation to specialists as needed. Documentation showed that the resident's Health Care Agent requested podiatry services upon admission, and a physician's order allowed for a podiatry consult. However, there was no evidence in the clinical record that podiatry services were scheduled or provided. Interviews revealed that the resident had thick and long toenails, and the podiatrist's office confirmed they had not received a request for services from the facility. The DON described the process for scheduling podiatry services but was unable to provide documentation that the process had been followed for this resident. The resident was severely cognitively impaired, dependent on staff for care, and had multiple diagnoses, including Alzheimer's Disease and congestive heart failure.