Failure to Provide Written Notification and Bed-Hold Policy During Resident Hospitalization
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide written notification to a resident's representative regarding the reasons for the resident's transfers to the hospital, as required. Medical record review showed that while telephone notifications were documented for two separate hospitalizations, there was no evidence of written communication explaining the reasons for these transfers. Additionally, the facility did not provide a copy of the bed-hold policy to the resident's representative at the time of hospitalization, as confirmed by staff interviews, with the policy only being given upon admission. These deficiencies were identified during a recertification survey through review of both electronic and paper medical records, as well as staff interviews, and were specific to one resident whose records were examined for transfer and discharge practices.