Failure to Timely Notify Ombudsman of Resident Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a copy of the discharge notice to the Office of the State Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman at the same time the notice was given to the resident or the resident's representative for two of six sampled residents. For one resident with cognitive communication deficit and muscle weakness, the discharge notice was given to the resident on May 7, 2025, but the notice was not sent to the Ombudsman until May 12, 2025, five days later. For another resident with acute osteomyelitis of the right ankle and a traumatic amputation of the right great toe, the discharge notice was provided to the resident and their representative on May 23, 2025, but the Ombudsman was not notified until May 26, 2025, three days later. The Social Services Director confirmed during interview and record review that the discharge notices were not sent to the Ombudsman on the same day as provided to the residents, as required. Facility policy states that the Ombudsman should be notified once the resident or representative signs the discharge notice, but this procedure was not followed in these cases.