Failure to Provide Transportation for Resident After Off-Site Appointment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide transportation for a resident following an off-site neurology appointment. The resident, who had moderately impaired cognition (BIMS score of 9), required partial to moderate assistance with activities of daily living and used a wheelchair for mobility. The resident had diagnoses including hypertension, aphasia, cerebrovascular accident, hemiplegia, and anxiety. Documentation showed that the resident left the facility for the appointment with a transport van service and driver, and staff expected a staff member to accompany residents to appointments, although there was no formal policy in place. After the appointment, the resident's family member was unable to confirm with the facility that transportation would return to pick up the resident, as attempts to contact the facility's Social Worker went unanswered. As a result, the family member transported the resident back to the facility themselves. Staff interviews confirmed the expectation that a staff member should accompany residents to appointments, but this did not occur in this instance, and the facility lacked a written policy regarding transportation for such situations.