Failure to Notify Ombudsman of Resident Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide written notification to the Ombudsman regarding the discharge of a resident who had been admitted for long-term antibiotic treatment and was discharged home after completing the treatment. Review of the resident's electronic medical record showed that no transfer or discharge notice was issued to the resident. Staff interviews revealed that the Ombudsman had not received any transfer or discharge lists from the facility for several months and was not aware of this resident's discharge. Further interviews indicated that the former Social Worker, who was in training during the relevant period, did not send notifications of transfers or discharges to the Ombudsman and was unaware of this requirement. The Administrator stated that the facility did not have a Social Worker at the time of the survey and expected that communication with the Ombudsman regarding transfers and discharges would occur. The former DON confirmed that the Social Worker was responsible for this communication, but it was not completed for this resident.