Failure to Provide Hearing Services for Resident with Documented Hearing Impairment
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with multiple medical diagnoses, including paraplegia and hearing impairment, was not provided with appropriate hearing services. The resident's Minimum Data Set (MDS) documented moderate difficulty with hearing, and the care plan acknowledged the hearing impairment, listing interventions such as facing the resident when speaking and providing written communication materials. However, there was no evidence in the physician's orders or medical record of a referral to audiology or further assessment for hearing services since admission. During interviews and observations, the resident reported not having a hearing aid, difficulty hearing, and needing staff to repeat questions or remove masks to facilitate lip reading. The Social Services Director confirmed that the resident was not on the audiology referral list and had not been seen by an audiologist, despite a note referencing a referral in January with no follow-up. The Director of Health Services also confirmed that no audiology referrals had been made for the resident, despite documentation of hearing difficulties in the care plan and MDS.