Failure to Facilitate Resident Discharge Choices Due to Staff Turnover and Lack of Follow-Up
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that residents' choices regarding discharge were properly facilitated, as evidenced by the experiences of two residents. One resident expressed a desire for a private living arrangement where family and friends could visit without restrictions and where they could have more autonomy, including going outside at will. This resident reported that the discharge process had been initiated three times but was never completed due to staff turnover, leaving them and others waiting for assistance. The Director of Social Work (DOSW), who had only been in her position for thirty days, was not aware of the resident's specific wishes and stated she would follow up. Another resident also reported wanting to leave the facility and live independently, stating that they had not received assistance with the discharge process and had not been followed up with for months. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that the previous social worker had left several months prior and that a consultant was only providing services once a month. The current DOSW was unable to provide follow-up documentation for either resident during the period after the previous social worker's departure, indicating a lack of continuity and follow-through in supporting residents' discharge choices.