Failure to Provide Timely Audiology Services for Hearing-Impaired Resident
Penalty
Summary
A resident with multiple medical conditions, including diabetes, heart failure, acute kidney failure, and depression, was admitted to the facility and had a documented need for hearing support. The resident's records included an active order for an audiology consult as needed for hearing problems. Despite this, the resident reported ongoing difficulty hearing and stated he had been waiting approximately six months for hearing aids. He also described a missed appointment with an ear doctor due to lateness and subsequent unfulfilled promises of an in-facility evaluation. The resident expressed that his hearing impairment made it very difficult to enjoy his favorite activity, watching TV. Facility documentation showed that a Social Service Assessment (Hearing) was completed, but it indicated that hearing appliances and consultation were not needed, contrary to the resident's ongoing complaints and the ENT's recommendation for an audiology exam for hearing aids. Attempts to schedule audiology appointments were unsuccessful due to the audiology office's inability to accommodate a gurney, and no in-house audiology services were available. The Social Service Director acknowledged that the assessment should have indicated a need for a hearing consultation and that a follow-up assessment was not completed as required. Facility policy required staff to assist hearing-impaired residents in accessing needed services, but this was not effectively carried out for this resident.