Failure to Schedule Audiology Follow-Up After Loss of Hearing Aids
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist a resident in scheduling a follow-up appointment with an audiology provider after both of the resident's hearing aids went missing. The resident, who was admitted with reprogrammable bilateral hearing aids and had a care plan intervention indicating their use, was noted in nursing documentation to have lost the right hearing aid, with subsequent notes indicating both hearing aids were missing. Despite nursing staff leaving messages for social services regarding the missing devices, there was no documentation that the Durable Power of Attorney was notified, nor was there evidence that a referral or follow-up appointment with audiology was made. Interviews with facility staff confirmed a lack of communication and follow-up regarding the missing hearing aids and the absence of any scheduled audiology appointment.