Failure to Involve Residents in Care Plan Meetings
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure residents' rights to participate in the development and implementation of their person-centered care plans. This deficiency was identified during a recertification survey, where it was found that two residents were not invited to attend their scheduled Comprehensive Care Plan and quarterly meetings. Resident #111, who is cognitively intact, reported not being invited to any care plan meetings since admission a year ago, and there was no documented evidence of their participation or invitation. The facility's policy requires that residents receive written or verbal invitations to these meetings, but this was not adhered to, as confirmed by interviews with the Director of Social Work and Social Worker #1. Similarly, Resident #13, who has moderately impaired cognition, was not documented as being invited to or participating in care plan meetings. Although the resident's family was involved, there was no evidence that the resident was asked to participate or that their refusal was documented. The Director of Social Work acknowledged the lack of documentation regarding Resident #13's refusal to participate. The facility's failure to document invitations and participation in care plan meetings for these residents constitutes a violation of their rights under 10 NYCRR 415.3(f)(1)(v).
Plan Of Correction
Plan of Correction: Approved January 2, 2025 Immediate Correction: 1) On 12/30/24, Immediate written and/or verbal invitations were sent to Resident #111 for all upcoming care plan meetings, including quarterly, significant change, and annual care plan meetings. 2) On 12/30/24, The Social Worker visited Resident #111 to explain the right to participate and assist in identifying a preferred time and manner for involvement in care planning meetings. 3) On 12/30/24, Documentation was completed by the Director of Social Services in the care plan and progress notes to indicate Resident #111's participation or refusal to attend each meeting. 4) On 12/30/24, Resident #13 was provided with written and/or verbal invitations for all upcoming care plan meetings, including quarterly, significant change, and annual meetings. 5) On 12/30/24, The Social Worker visited Resident #13 to assess their preference for participation and offer the option of attending the next care plan meeting. 6) If Resident #13 continues to refuse participation, the refusal will be documented in the progress notes, and the family will be invited to participate, with proper documentation of their involvement. Identification of Others: 1) The facility will review all other residents who have been cognitively assessed as capable of participating in care planning to ensure that all eligible residents and resident representatives have been appropriately invited and given the opportunity to engage in their care plan development. 2) A full audit by the DSW of residents who are cognitively intact and those with partial or full impairments will be conducted to ensure that invitations for care plan meetings are consistently extended, and participation is documented. Systemic Changes: 1) The facility's policy on Comprehensive Care Planning, revised 09/24, will be reviewed to clearly specify that residents must be invited to all care plan meetings, including quarterly, annual, and significant change meetings. Invitations must be extended in writing and/or verbally to all residents deemed cognitively intact. 2) The policy will include instructions for the Social Worker and interdisciplinary team on the documentation requirements, including invitations, attendance, refusals, and family involvement, to be included in the progress notes and sign-in sheets. 3) The Social Work department will receive additional training on the facility's policy regarding resident participation in the care planning process, including the requirement for documented invitations, participation, and refusals. 4) The Social Workers will be in serviced and training will focus on the importance of inviting all residents who are cognitively intact and resident representatives accurately documenting attendance, and ensuring all communications with residents and family members are clear and complete. 5) The care planning meeting schedule and process will be revised to include a checklist that confirms each resident's participation, the invitation status, and any family involvement. This checklist will be reviewed by the Director of Social Services before each meeting to ensure compliance. 6) The Director of Social Worker will ensure documentation is accurately recorded for future meetings, including whether the resident was invited and/or participated by documented efforts in progress notes and having the resident sign the care plan meeting sheets. Quality Assurance: 1) The Director of Social Services will implement a monthly audit of care plan meeting invitations, participation, and refusal documentation for the next three months to ensure compliance with the facility policy. 2) The facility administration will establish a process for residents and families to provide feedback regarding the care planning process and whether they felt adequately invited or involved by surveying residents and families on an ongoing basis. 3) The Care Plan Meeting Invitation Audits will be completed by the Director of Social Services weekly x 4 weeks; monthly x 3 months; and quarterly for x 1 year. Any negative findings will be addressed immediately. 4) Findings will be brought to the QAPI meeting quarterly for tracking of facility compliance. Person Responsible for this Ftag: 1) The Director of Social Services.