F0685

D

Failure to Implement Audiology Recommendation for Hearing Aids

Madison, Wisconsin Survey Completed on 02-19-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to follow through on an audiologist’s recommendation and physician order for hearing aids/amplification for one resident. The facility’s policy "Hearing and Vision Services" (revised 3/2025) states that all residents should have access to hearing services and receive adaptive equipment as indicated. Resident 60, admitted with diagnoses including Type II diabetes mellitus, schizophrenia, and major depressive disorder, had an MDS dated 8/26/2025 showing a BIMS score of 14, indicating intact cognition, and did not have a care plan related to hearing loss. During an interview, the resident reported that an audiologist had tested their hearing, said hearing aids were needed, but the devices were never provided.

Record review showed the resident had an audiology appointment on 9/10/2025 with Health Direct Audiology, which documented mild to severe bilateral sensorineural hearing loss and recommended binaural hearing aids of a specific make and model, noting the resident was eager for amplification. Staff interviews revealed that audiology summaries and recommendations are emailed to the social worker (SW), NHA, and DON, with SW responsible for pulling needed items, giving orders to nursing, and following up with the resident, including consent and financial paperwork. The NHA acknowledged that the audiology recommendation for specific hearing aids existed and stated she would need to find out what happened to the order. The resident later reiterated that no amplification device had been brought despite being told something would be provided. The NHA confirmed the expected process for handling Health Direct recommendations and agreed it should be followed for all such orders, but in this case the order for hearing aids was not fulfilled and the resident did not receive the recommended devices.