Failure to Provide Communication Tools for Residents with Hearing Impairments
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide necessary communication tools to two residents with hearing impairments, resulting in a deficiency related to access to vision and hearing services. For one resident with hemiplegia and diabetes mellitus, records initially indicated adequate hearing, but during interviews, the resident reported recent hearing loss in one ear and difficulty understanding staff. Both the Activity Director (AD) and Director of Nursing (DON) were unaware of the resident's hearing impairment, and the AD acknowledged that a communication board would be beneficial, but this need was not documented in the activity review assessment. Another resident, diagnosed with hepatomegaly and dysphagia, was also found to have difficulty hearing, particularly in certain environments. Although the care plan included interventions for alternative communication tools, the activity review assessment did not document the hearing impairment, and no communication tools were observed in the resident's room. During interviews, the resident expressed difficulty hearing and a desire for a communication board, which had not been provided. Both the AD and DON were unaware of the resident's hearing impairment until the time of the survey. The facility's policy on care for hearing-impaired residents required staff to assist with effective communication and to evaluate adaptive needs regularly. However, staff failed to identify and document the residents' hearing impairments and did not provide the necessary communication tools, such as communication boards, as required by policy. This lack of action placed the residents at risk of unmet needs and potential negative effects on their psychosocial well-being.