Failure to Provide Vision Services as Needed
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident received necessary vision services as required. The resident, who had diagnoses including Alzheimer's disease, major depressive disorder, hypertension, and glaucoma, had a physician's order for an eye doctor visit as needed and was prescribed Latanoprost eye drops for glaucoma. The care plan identified impaired visual function and included interventions such as arranging consultations with an eye care practitioner. Despite a referral being sent in June for the resident to be seen by the facility eye doctor, the resident had not been seen by an eye doctor since admission in 2020. Interviews with staff confirmed that the resident had not received an eye doctor visit and that her glasses could not be located. The resident herself was unaware of the whereabouts of her glasses, and a CNA reported never having seen her wear glasses during nine months of employment. The facility's policy required referrals for eye care appointments as needed, but this was not followed, resulting in the resident not receiving appropriate vision services.