Failure to Provide Communication Device in Resident's Preferred Language
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to provide a communication device in a language understood by a resident with cognitive and communication deficits. The resident, who spoke Cantonese and had diagnoses including dementia, bipolar disorder, and anxiety, was identified in the care plan and Minimum Data Set as needing a translator or communication device to communicate with staff. Despite this documented need, observation and interviews revealed that the resident did not have a communication board in the room, and Cantonese-speaking staff were not always available. Staff interviews confirmed that all non-English speaking residents should have access to communication boards, and the facility's policy required reasonable steps to accommodate residents with limited English proficiency, including providing communication boards with written translation. The lack of a communication device for the resident had the potential to affect communication with staff and delay the provision of care, treatment, and services.