F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
D

Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Resident Transfers

Westford Nursing And Rehabilitation CenterWestford, Massachusetts Survey Completed on 06-14-2024

Summary

The facility failed to notify the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman in writing regarding the transfer or discharge of four residents. This deficiency was identified through record reviews and interviews, revealing that the facility did not comply with the notification requirements for residents who were transferred to the hospital. The social worker responsible for providing bed hold and transfer notices was unaware of the requirement to notify the Ombudsman, leading to multiple instances of non-compliance. Resident #66, admitted with diagnoses including congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, and dementia, was transferred to the hospital on four occasions without the Ombudsman being notified. Similarly, Resident #43, with peripheral vascular disease and diabetes mellitus, was transferred to the hospital without notification. Resident #73, who was cognitively intact and had a history of cerebral infarction, atherosclerotic heart disease, and pulmonary embolism, was also transferred multiple times without the required notification. Resident #51, admitted with severe protein-calorie malnutrition and gastrostomy status, was transferred to the hospital after removing their G tube. The facility failed to notify the Ombudsman of this transfer as well. Interviews with the social worker and the Director of Nursing confirmed the lack of evidence for written notifications to the Ombudsman, highlighting a systemic issue in the facility's transfer and discharge notification process.

Penalty

No penalty information released
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The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
See other F0623 citations in Ohio
Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Resident Discharges
D
F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Short Summary

The facility failed to notify the Ombudsman when residents were transferred or discharged, affecting three residents. A resident with cirrhosis and chronic kidney disease, another with malignant neoplasm and candida sepsis, and a third with portal vein thrombosis and major depressive disorder were not reported to the Ombudsman upon discharge. The DON confirmed the oversight, and the facility lacked a notification policy.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Transfer/Discharge Notices
B
F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Short Summary

The facility failed to provide required transfer/discharge notices to residents and their representatives, affecting four residents who were sent to the hospital without proper notification. The facility's policy requires such notices to be given in an understandable manner, but this was not followed, as confirmed by the administrator.

Fine: $60,320
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Resident Transfers
D
F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Short Summary

The facility failed to notify the Ombudsman when two residents were transferred to the hospital. One resident with moderate cognitive impairment was admitted to the hospital multiple times without notification, and another resident with multiple health issues was discharged without informing the Ombudsman. The Social Services Director confirmed the lack of notifications since April 2024, despite facility policy requiring such notifications.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Resident Transfer
D
F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Short Summary

A facility failed to notify the State Ombudsman of a resident's transfer to the hospital. The resident, who had severe cognitive impairment and multiple medical conditions, was not given appropriate transfer notice. The facility's administrator confirmed that they had not been submitting transfer information to the Ombudsman, based on prior communication indicating it was unnecessary.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Resident Transfers
B
F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Short Summary

The facility failed to notify the local Ombudsman of transfers for two residents, one with complex medical issues and another with multiple sclerosis and cellulitis, to the emergency room. Despite documentation of the transfers and provision of bed hold policies, there was no evidence of Ombudsman notification, confirmed by facility staff.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.
Failure to Provide Written Notices of Transfer/Discharge
B
F0623 F623: Provide timely notification to the resident, and if applicable to the resident representative and ombudsman, before transfer or discharge, including appeal rights.
Short Summary

The facility failed to provide written notices of transfer or discharge to residents when they were sent to the hospital, affecting four residents. The deficiency was confirmed through record reviews, staff interviews, and policy reviews. The residents involved had intact cognition, and the facility's policy required a notice of transfer for emergency transfers or discharges, which was not adhered to.

No penalty information released
tooltip icon
The penalty, as released by CMS, applies to the entire inspection this citation is part of, covering all citations and f-tags issued, not just this specific f-tag. For the complete original report, please refer to the 'Details' section.

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