Failure to Ensure Timely Audiology Referral for Hearing Loss
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received proper treatment and services to maintain hearing abilities. Clinical record review showed that the resident had diagnoses including stage 3 chronic kidney disease and hypothyroidism. The resident reported difficulty hearing and stated she had requested to see a doctor because her hearing aids were no longer effective. A medical practitioner documented an acute visit for hearing loss and ordered a referral to audiology for evaluation. Despite the physician's order for an audiology referral, the resident was not placed on the list to be seen by audiology. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the resident was not added to the audiology list after the order was made and acknowledged that this should have occurred. The audiology provider later confirmed that the resident was not scheduled due to missing information, resulting in a delay in the resident receiving the necessary evaluation for her hearing loss.