Failure to Provide Timely Written Notification of Hospital Transfer and Bed-Hold Policy
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide written notification to a resident and the resident's representative prior to a hospital transfer. A resident with intact cognition, as indicated by a BIMS score of 15, reported not receiving any information about bed-hold options before being transferred to the hospital for evaluation and treatment of shortness of breath and chest pain. The resident expressed concern about returning to the facility in time to retain her bed, indicating a lack of communication regarding her rights and options during the transfer process. Record review showed that the Nursing Home Transfer and Discharge Notice form for the resident was incomplete, missing both the physician/designee and resident/representative signatures, and was dated after the resident's return from the hospital. Interviews with staff confirmed that the required notification and documentation were not provided at the time of transfer, and the facility's policy requires such notifications to be completed on the same day as the transfer. The deficiency was identified through review of records and staff interviews.