Failure to Complete Admission Paperwork Within Required Timeframe
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that admission paperwork was completed and signed as required for one resident out of five reviewed for admission. Specifically, a resident with diagnoses including type two diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea, respiratory failure with hypoxia, anxiety disorder, and hypertension was admitted, and the admission Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment indicated no cognitive impairment. However, review of the resident's admissions packet revealed that all required documents, such as the admissions agreement, responsible party agreement, assignment of benefits, and various consents, were signed 28 days after the resident's admission rather than at the time of admission. During an interview, the Administrator confirmed that the admissions paperwork was not completed at the time of admission and acknowledged that it should have been. The facility's policy requires that all admission paperwork be completed and signed within 48 hours of admission, with the Administrator signing off on the completed packet within the same timeframe. The Administrator also noted the absence of a full-time admissions coordinator, stating that the responsibility for completing admissions paperwork fell to either the Mobile Admissions Coordinator or the Administrator.