Failure to Provide Dental Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary dental services to meet the needs of a resident, identified as Resident R250. The resident was admitted to the facility on February 24, 2020, and readmitted on August 21, 2024. The care plan for Resident R250, dated April 11, 2024, indicated a risk for altered dentition and recommended obtaining a dental consult as necessary. A physician's order dated October 7, 2024, specifically instructed a dental consultation for routine evaluation. However, the facility did not ensure that the resident was seen by a dentist as ordered. Interviews conducted on February 12, 2025, with a Transportation Aide and the Director of Nursing confirmed that Resident R250 was not provided with the required dental services. The facility's failure to arrange for the dental consultation as per the physician's order and care plan resulted in a deficiency in meeting the dental care needs of the resident. This deficiency was identified during a review of clinical records, facility documents, and staff interviews.
Plan Of Correction
1. R250 was placed on the schedule to see the dentist. Appointment occurred 2/13/2025. 2. Director of nursing met with physician services staff to ensure they know how to pull consult orders from the electronic medical record. 3. Director of nursing or designee will in-service physician services staff on scheduling dental consults in a timely manner and to notify administration of any delays. 4. Director of nursing or designee will audit 5 residents weekly for 2 weeks, then 3 residents weekly for 2 weeks, then 3 residents weekly for 2 months to ensure orders for dental consults are being scheduled in a timely manner. Audit findings will be shared with QAPI committee.