Failure to Timely Transmit Discharge MDS Assessment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to transmit a resident's Discharge Minimum Data Set (MDS) assessment to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) within 14 days after completion, as required. Review of the resident's records showed that the discharge MDS assessment, dated 3/9/2025, was not transmitted in a timely manner. The Minimum Data Set Nurse (MDSN) confirmed during interview and record review that the assessment had not been submitted to CMS, and acknowledged that all MDS assessments should be transmitted within 14 days from the Assessment Reference Date (ARD) or discharge date. The resident involved had a history of metabolic encephalopathy, epilepsy, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and was noted to have severely impaired cognitive skills and total dependence on staff for several activities of daily living. The facility's policy required timely transmission of MDS assessments according to electronic medical record and RAI guidelines, but this process was not followed for the resident in question.