Failure to Involve Next of Kin in Care Planning
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to include a resident's next of kin (NOK) in the care plan conference, despite the resident's care plan indicating a preference for family or significant other involvement. The resident, who was cognitively intact and required varying levels of assistance with daily activities due to diagnoses including heart failure and lack of coordination, attended the care conference. However, there was no documentation that the NOK was invited to participate, as required by the facility's policy and the resident's care plan preferences. Interviews and record reviews confirmed that while the NOK was reportedly invited and unable to attend due to work obligations, this was not documented in the resident's records. The facility's policies require prompt and accurate documentation of such events and emphasize the importance of involving residents' families or representatives in care planning. The lack of documentation and failure to ensure the NOK's participation resulted in the resident and their NOK not being given their right to participate in the care planning process.