Failure to Provide Timely Social Services and Care Conferences
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide medically-related social services to all sampled residents due to inadequate staffing, specifically having only one social worker on site for approximately three months. During this period, the social worker was unable to coordinate and conduct required interdisciplinary team (IDT) care conference meetings for at least 14 residents. These meetings are essential for discussing and managing resident care, involving various healthcare professionals and family members or responsible parties. A review of medical records revealed that the last IDT/care conference for the affected residents occurred between six to eight months prior, well beyond the required quarterly interval. Interviews with staff confirmed that the social worker was solely responsible for scheduling and coordinating these meetings, and the workload prevented timely completion. The administrator acknowledged that daily standup meetings, which addressed acute care issues, did not substitute for the comprehensive discussions held during IDT/care conferences, especially for chronic or ongoing care needs. Additionally, a family member of one resident reported not being invited to recent IDT meetings and not being updated on the resident's plan of care or current medications. Facility policy requires care plan conferences to be held within seven days of the initial assessment, every 90 days thereafter, and with any significant change in resident status or condition. The failure to conduct these meetings as required resulted in residents not receiving appropriate and personalized care planning.