Failure to Implement Communication Care Plan for Resident with Hearing Impairment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement the care plan for a resident with hearing impairment, as evidenced by multiple observations and interviews. The resident had been recommended hearing aids by a hearing clinic, and the care plan specified that staff were to assist with placing and removing the hearing aid, which was to be kept charged at the bedside. Despite these documented interventions, the resident was repeatedly observed without hearing aids in place over several days. The resident's representative confirmed that the hearing aids had not been used for some time and were not charged, and staff interviews revealed a lack of awareness and adherence to the care plan instructions. Record reviews and staff interviews further confirmed that the care plan was not being followed, with both nursing and CNA staff indicating either a lack of knowledge about the hearing aid's location or stating that the resident had not been using them. The care plan was only updated after these observations to reflect that the resident's representative would be responsible for charging the hearing aid and that either the representative or staff could place it. At the time of the deficiency, the care plan interventions for communication were not implemented, placing the resident at risk for unmet care needs.