Failure to Provide Written Bed Hold Notice at Time of Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a written bed hold notice or reason for transfer to a resident and their representative at the time of two separate hospital transfers. According to the facility's own policy, written information regarding bed hold practices must be given both in advance and at the time of transfer for hospitalization or therapeutic leave. Record review showed that the resident was not cognitively intact at the time of the transfers, and there was no documentation in the clinical record that the required notices were provided for either transfer. Interviews with the resident's representative confirmed that no written bed hold notice was received, and this was the first time the representative had heard of the term 'bed hold.' Staff interviews revealed confusion and lack of clarity regarding responsibility for providing and documenting the bed hold notice. Nursing staff believed the business office or admissions was responsible, while the business office manager stated it was the nursing staff's duty to provide the notice at the time of transfer. The unit manager indicated that providing the bed hold policy was part of the transfer process, but acknowledged there was no documentation of this action. The administrator was unable to locate any proof that the required written notice was given for the hospital transfers, despite expectations that nursing staff would provide and document the notice in the resident's record.