Failure to Provide Follow-Up Audiology Services
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency was identified when a resident with multiple psychiatric and medical diagnoses, including schizoaffective disorder, anxiety disorder, impulse disorder, pseudobulbar affect, and type II diabetes, did not receive appropriate follow-up care for audiology services. The resident was cognitively intact and had a care plan intervention to refer for audiology evaluation as needed. An audiologist visit documented that the resident had impacted cerumen in both ears, which completely occluded the ear canals. Although ear wax removal drops were administered, the resident declined further cerumen removal attempts. The audiologist recommended a follow-up cerumen evaluation in four to six months. Subsequent review of the medical record revealed no documentation of follow-up appointments or further audiology services for the resident after the initial visit. The resident was not included on the facility's list of those seen for audiology services at a later date. Interviews with the resident and facility staff confirmed that no additional audiology appointments were scheduled or refused since the initial visit, and the resident reported ongoing issues with ear clogging and no recollection of seeing an audiologist at the facility.