Failure to Timely Arrange Dental Appointment Following Physician Order
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to arrange a dental appointment as ordered for a resident who experienced a dental issue. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including chronic respiratory failure, diabetes, schizoaffective disorder, and a history of dental problems, reported to nursing staff that a tooth had fallen out. Although the resident did not initially report pain, the physician was notified and ordered Clindamycin and a dental appointment to be scheduled as soon as possible. Documentation review showed that the dental appointment was not scheduled or completed following the initial order. Subsequently, the resident called 911 for toothache pain and dizziness and was transported to the hospital. Upon return, new orders for antibiotics were given for dental caries and a periapical abscess. It was only after this hospital visit that a dental appointment was scheduled, several weeks after the original physician order. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that the dental appointment was not set up until after the resident's hospital visit, despite the earlier order to do so.