Failure to Provide Timely Vision Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide proper treatment to maintain vision for a resident with a history of cataracts and diabetes mellitus type 2. The resident, who was cognitively intact and wore glasses, expressed a desire to have their eyes checked and reported difficulty reading the television even with their eyeglasses. The last documented optometry visit for the resident was in 2021, despite a recommendation for a follow-up in one year. There was no evidence in the medical record of any subsequent optometry visits or updated assessments, and the resident could not recall the last time they had an eye exam. Staff interviews revealed that the process for scheduling optometry visits relied on resident or family requests, care conference discussions, or staff observations. However, the optometrist only visited when there were at least six residents on the list, and the resident in question had not been added to the list despite reporting vision issues. Nursing and care staff were unaware of the resident's complaints, and documentation from a recent care conference left the section on visual appliances blank, with 'not applicable' checked. This lack of follow-up and communication resulted in the resident not receiving timely vision care as recommended.