Incorrect Discharge Location Coded on MDS Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to accurately code a resident's discharge location on the Discharge Minimum Data Set (MDS) for one resident who had been discharged. The resident, who had Alzheimer's Disease and was severely cognitively impaired, was admitted to the facility and later discharged. Documentation in the Admission Record, Physician's Orders, Discharge Summary, and Discharge Plan all indicated that the resident was discharged to an assisted living facility, which is a lower level of care. However, the MDS assessment incorrectly coded the discharge location as a short-term general hospital. During an interview and record review, the MDS Coordinator acknowledged the error, stating that the discharge section of the MDS was completed incorrectly and that the resident was actually discharged to an assisted living facility. The facility's policy requires that all portions of the MDS assessment be completed accurately and certified by the responsible staff. The inaccurate coding on the MDS resulted in an inaccurate assessment for the resident.