Failure to Ensure Timely Physician Visits
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents were seen by their primary care physicians at least once every 60 days, as required by federal and state regulations. For two residents, one with epilepsy and a history of traumatic brain injury and another with cancer and a history of CVA, record reviews showed that neither had documentation of a primary care physician visit in the past six months. Instead, both residents were last seen by a Family Nurse Practitioner, with no evidence of a physician visit during the required timeframe. Interviews with the Director of Nursing confirmed the absence of documentation for physician visits for both residents, and the DON acknowledged that the primary care physician is ultimately responsible for the residents' healthcare and is obligated to see them at least every 60 days. The facility's policy also requires the attending physician to visit residents in accordance with applicable regulations, which was not met in these cases.