Failure to Provide Ordered Occupational Therapy Services
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with a history of spinal fusion and dependence on renal dialysis did not receive Occupational Therapy (OT) services as ordered. The resident was admitted and readmitted to the facility, and their physician orders specified OT services six times per week for 12 weeks, while the OT evaluation indicated five times per week for 12 weeks. The resident reported receiving less therapy than ordered and expressed concern about being considered for discharge due to lack of progress, attributing this to insufficient therapy sessions. Observations confirmed the resident was wearing a cervical collar and was in bed at the time of review. Interviews with therapy staff revealed that therapy sessions were sometimes missed due to the resident's dialysis schedule and staffing limitations, with attempts made to adjust therapy around these constraints. The Therapy Director confirmed that OT services had not been provided since a specific date, despite the resident remaining on the OT caseload. Review of the OT Service Log corroborated that no OT services had been delivered for several days, indicating a failure to provide specialized rehabilitative services as required by the resident's care plan and physician orders.