Failure to Address Resident's Communication Needs in Care Plan
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement a comprehensive, resident-centered care plan addressing a resident's communication difficulties. During multiple observations and interviews, it was noted that the resident had a persistently weak, strained voice, making it difficult for others to understand him. The resident expressed a desire to see a specialist regarding his voice and reported ongoing difficulty being understood. Staff interviews confirmed that the resident's voice had been weak for an extended period, but staff were unaware of the cause. Review of the resident's care plan revealed that it did not include any focus area or interventions related to the resident's communication challenges, despite these ongoing issues being evident to both the resident and staff.