Failure to Provide Required Transfer/Discharge Notifications and Incomplete Notification Forms
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required written notifications of transfer or discharge to residents, their representatives, and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman for two of three sampled residents. Specifically, for one resident who was transferred and discharged to the hospital on two occasions, there was no documentation of written notification to the resident, their representative, or the Ombudsman. The Director of Social Activities confirmed that written notifications were not provided and was unaware that such notifications were required. Additionally, the transfer/discharge notification form used by the facility did not include the Ombudsman's address as required by policy. For another resident with three hospitalizations, there was no discharge or transfer notification found for any of the hospitalizations. Although discharge notices were sent to the Ombudsman for two of the hospitalizations, there was no proof that notification was sent to the resident's representative. The notification form used was also missing the Ombudsman's address and information about appeal rights. The Director of Social Activities stated that notifications were not sent for all types of transfers, including those for observation stays, contrary to regulatory requirements.