Failure to Ensure Timely Home Health Referral and PEG Tube Supplies at Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's discharge needs and physician's orders were met prior to discharge. Specifically, there was no documented evidence that a referral to home health was completed and accepted before the resident was discharged, despite a physician's order requiring home health services. The facility was unable to provide documentation that the home health agency had accepted the referral prior to the resident's discharge, and records showed that acceptance did not occur until after the resident had already left the facility. Additionally, the facility did not clarify or fulfill the discharge orders to ensure the resident had all necessary supplies and equipment for PEG tube feeding at home. The resident, who had a PEG tube for nutritional needs and required a specific feeding formula and pump, was discharged without documented orders or arrangements for these essential items. The referral for the PEG tube feeding pump and formula was not made until after discharge, resulting in a delay in the resident receiving the required equipment and nutrition supplies.