Failure to Timely Submit PASRR Specialized Services Requests
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to incorporate PASRR Level II recommendations into the assessment and care planning process for a resident with multiple diagnoses, including cerebral palsy, epilepsy, intellectual disabilities, and dysphagia. Despite the resident being identified as PASRR positive and requiring specialized services such as PT, OT, SLP, and a customized wheelchair, the facility did not submit the Nursing Facility Specialized Services (NFSS) forms for these services within the required 20 business days following the interdisciplinary team (IDT) meeting. The MDS Coordinator acknowledged that the NFSS forms were not accepted multiple times and that attempts were made to resolve the issue, but the forms were still not submitted on time. Interviews with facility staff and the PASRR Program Specialist confirmed that the required forms were not sent within the mandated timeframe, regardless of the resident's hospitalization and readmission. Observations showed the resident in a high-back wheelchair and unresponsive to verbal interaction. The facility's own PASRR policy required initiation of specialized service requests within 20 business days of the IDT meeting, but this was not followed, resulting in a failure to ensure timely access to needed care and services for the resident.