Failure to Provide Language Assistance for Communication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary language assistance services to maintain activities of daily living (ADLs) for communication for Resident R177, who only speaks French. The resident was admitted with diagnoses including hypotension, a wound on the left heel, and cellulitis of both lower extremities. The initial nurse assessment and care plan identified a language barrier, yet the facility did not ensure effective communication methods were in place. Observations and staff interviews revealed that the resident was unable to communicate effectively due to the lack of appropriate language assistance. Although a Licensed Practical Nurse mentioned that a nurse aide was supposed to use a phone application for translation, the assigned nurse aide did not have the app and relied on the resident pointing to communicate. Another nurse aide attempted to use a translator app, but all efforts to communicate with the resident were unsuccessful. This deficiency was acknowledged by the Nursing Home Administrator during an interview.
Plan Of Correction
1. Resident R177 did not experience any adverse effects, care plan updated and resident is satisfied. 2. The facility will utilize Language Line in order to effectively communicate with foreign language speaking residents. 3. NHA/designee to educate all staff on the usage of Language Line to effectively communicate to foreign language speaking residents. 4. NHA/designee to audit effective communication with foreign speaking residents and utilization of language line 5x/week for 2 weeks, then 2x/week for 2 weeks. 5. Results to be submitted to QAPI for review and approval.