Failure to Provide Written Bed Hold Policy Notice Upon Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide written notice of the bed hold policy to a resident or their representative when the resident was transferred to the hospital. Review of the medical record showed that the resident was transferred for evaluation of chest pain, but there was no evidence that written notice of the bed hold policy was given at the time of transfer. The surveyor requested documentation, but the only evidence provided was a late entry progress note stating that the resident and family were notified verbally, a blank bed hold notice form, and an undated letter with a handwritten note indicating it was mailed to the resident's daughter. During an interview, the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) confirmed that the facility's process is to provide the bed hold policy before a resident leaves for transfer and to keep a copy of the notice. However, the NHA was unable to produce any written evidence that the required notice was given to the resident or their representative at the time of transfer. The surveyor confirmed that the documentation provided did not meet the requirement for written notice.