Failure to Replace Resident's Hearing Aid in Timely Manner
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when a resident with a history of hemiplegia, low vision, blindness in one eye, and mild cognitive impairment did not receive proper treatment and assistive devices to maintain hearing abilities. The resident's care plan indicated the need for bilateral hearing aids and assistance with their use, as well as regular monitoring and referral to audiology as needed. Despite these documented needs, the resident's left hearing aid was broken and not replaced for several months, resulting in ongoing difficulty hearing from the left side. Staff were observed speaking loudly into the resident's right ear, and the resident was unable to respond when addressed from the left side, indicating a significant impact on communication. Interviews revealed that the process for replacing the hearing aid was not effectively managed. The Social Service Director acknowledged that follow-up was delayed, partly due to a change in the resident's Power of Attorney after the death of a family member who had possession of the hearing aid. The lack of a systematic approach to tracking and replacing assistive devices contributed to the prolonged period without the necessary hearing aid, directly affecting the resident's ability to communicate and participate in daily activities.