Failure to Provide Required Discharge Notices and Ombudsman Notification
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required Notices of Intent to Discharge to three of four sampled residents prior to their discharge, as well as failed to notify the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman of these discharges. Specifically, documentation was lacking for residents who were alert, oriented, and had no cognitive impairment, as evidenced by their BIMS scores. The records for these residents did not contain the mandated written notification of discharge, nor did they show that copies of these notices were sent to the Ombudsman, as required by facility policy and state regulations. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Director of Social Services had not been issuing discharge notices or notifying the Ombudsman for short-term stay residents. The Administrator also stated unawareness of the requirement to provide such notices and notifications for short-term residents. The deficiency was identified through review of medical records, progress notes, and facility policy, which outlined the necessary steps and information to be included in discharge notifications.