Failure to Ensure Timely Ophthalmology Follow-Up for Severely Impaired Vision
Penalty
Summary
A resident with multiple diagnoses, including chronic diastolic heart failure, type 2 diabetes mellitus, morbid obesity, asthma, insomnia, major depressive disorder, dry eyes syndrome, and bilateral age-related cataracts, was admitted to the facility and assessed as having severely impaired vision. The resident was alert, oriented, and cognitively intact. Medical records showed that the resident was seen by an eye care consultant, who recommended a follow-up with an ophthalmologist for cataract evaluation. Despite this recommendation, the resident reported being unable to see due to cataracts and stated that cataract surgery had been recommended but no appointment had been scheduled. Facility staff documented attempts to contact eight ophthalmologist offices, noting difficulties in finding a provider who accepted the resident's insurance and could accommodate bariatric patients, but there was no evidence that an appointment was ultimately scheduled.