F0550

D

Failure to Maintain Resident Dignity Through Adequate Eye Hygiene

El Monte, California Survey Completed on 01-14-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to assist a dependent resident with basic grooming and hygiene related to eye care, resulting in the resident remaining with visible eye discharge on and beneath both eyes. The resident had a history of hemiplegia and hemiparesis following cerebral infarction, heart failure, muscle weakness, and dry eye syndrome, and was documented as lacking capacity to understand and make decisions. The MDS showed the resident was severely cognitively impaired and dependent on staff for eating, oral hygiene, toileting hygiene, bathing, dressing, and personal hygiene. The care plan indicated a self-care deficit, extensive assistance needs with ADLs and physical function, and a goal that the resident would be clean, dry, and well-groomed daily.

On observation, the resident was seen with discharge around both eyes and on the face beneath the eyes, and the resident reported feeling uncomfortable and needing help to clean the eyes. A subsequent observation in the activities room again noted discharge around and under the eyes. The Activities Assistant stated that nursing staff should have cleaned the eye discharge and ensured the resident was well-groomed before being transferred to activities, emphasizing the importance of grooming for dignity. A CNA stated that it was the nurses’ responsibility and that helping residents maintain good personal hygiene was important for dignity. The DON stated that nurses must treat residents with respect, kindness, and dignity and keep them clean and well-groomed. Facility policies on ADL support and resident rights required providing necessary services to maintain grooming and hygiene and guaranteeing residents’ rights to a dignified existence and to be treated with respect, kindness, and dignity, which were not followed in this instance.