Failure to Coordinate and Document Hospice Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to coordinate hospice care for one resident, resulting in incomplete documentation and uncertainty regarding the provision of required hospice services. Specifically, the hospice calendar did not accurately reflect the scheduled and completed skilled nursing (SN) and hospice aide (HA) visits as ordered by the physician. Staff interviews revealed a lack of clarity about the frequency of these visits, with the LVN unable to confirm how often the HA visited the resident and acknowledging that the hospice calendar was not properly marked. This incomplete documentation made it unclear whether the resident received the necessary hospice care as outlined in the care plan. Additionally, there was confusion among staff regarding the identity of the facility's hospice designee or coordinator. The LVN incorrectly identified the DON as the hospice coordinator, while facility documents indicated that the Social Services Director (SSD) held this role. The DON later confirmed that the SSD was the designated hospice coordinator. The resident involved had a primary hospice diagnosis of Alzheimer's disease, lacked capacity to make health care decisions, and required routine hospice care as per physician orders.