Failure to Assist Resident with Vision Care Appointments and Transportation
Penalty
Summary
A resident with deteriorating vision experienced significant barriers in accessing necessary vision care services due to the facility's failure to make and maintain timely appointments and arrange appropriate transportation. The resident reported that several appointments had been made and canceled by the facility without her knowledge or notification to the provider offices, resulting in her being late or missing multiple appointments. As a result, some provider offices refused to see her as a patient, and she was unable to receive recommended cataract surgery after being late to a surgeon's appointment. The resident expressed frustration and distress over her inability to participate in activities she enjoyed and her increasing fear of moving around the facility due to her poor eyesight. Interviews with facility staff revealed confusion and lack of communication regarding who was responsible for scheduling and assisting with outside appointments. The new scheduler was unaware of any upcoming vision appointments for the resident, and other staff members either did not know about the resident's vision concerns or denied responsibility for appointment coordination. Review of the resident's care plan showed no documented goals or interventions related to vision appointments, and progress notes contained minimal references to vision care over a six-month period. This lack of coordination and documentation directly contributed to the resident's unmet vision care needs.