Failure to Arrange and Cover Transportation for Dialysis as Required by Contract
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its dialysis contract and arrange for appropriate transportation for a resident who required regular dialysis treatments. The resident, who was cognitively intact but physically dependent on staff for transfers and mobility, missed a scheduled dialysis appointment because staff did not ensure he was ready and at the pick-up location on time. The resident had a long-standing schedule for dialysis transportation, but on the day in question, staff reported he refused to get up until the ride arrived, resulting in the transportation service leaving after waiting the required five minutes. Documentation and interviews revealed conflicting accounts, with staff stating the resident was not ready and the resident and his roommate asserting that staff did not get him up in time. Following the missed ride, the facility contacted the dialysis center and was offered an alternative appointment later that day, which required the resident to pay privately for transportation. The resident declined this option, stating he did not have the funds and was unwilling to pay. The facility did not offer to cover the cost, citing that the resident was a member of Metro Mobility and that the facility was not obligated to pay for private transportation. The resident was also offered a dialysis appointment the following morning but refused to reschedule another personal appointment he had at that time. As a result, the resident missed his regular dialysis session and was rescheduled for an additional day later in the week. A review of the facility's contract with the dialysis provider revealed that the facility was responsible for arranging suitable transportation for the resident to and from the dialysis center, including covering all associated costs. Despite this contractual obligation, the facility did not pay for the alternative transportation when the resident missed his scheduled ride, leading to the resident missing his dialysis treatment. Interviews with staff, transportation providers, and the resident confirmed that the facility did not fulfill its responsibility to ensure the resident received timely and appropriate dialysis care as required by the contract.