Failure to Ensure Effective Communication in Resident's Preferred Language
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and multiple medical diagnoses was able to communicate effectively with caregivers in her preferred language, English. The resident reported difficulty communicating with staff who primarily spoke Spanish. Observations revealed that two CNAs, who did not speak English, attempted to use translation applications on their phones to communicate with non-Spanish speaking residents but were unable to effectively use these tools or facilitate meaningful communication. A review of Resident Council meeting minutes indicated that language barriers were a known issue among residents, with reports of difficulty communicating with staff. The Director of Nursing confirmed that staff were instructed to use translation applications and to notify the Charge Nurse if communication difficulties arose, acknowledging that staff's inability to communicate could affect resident care and well-being. Facility policy requires that residents be fully informed in a language they understand, but this was not achieved in the case described.