Failure to Notify Resident Representative Prior to Room Change
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a resident's representative was notified prior to room changes, as required by both resident rights and facility policy. Medical record review showed that a resident with moderate cognitive impairment and multiple diagnoses, including dementia and depression, experienced several room moves. Documentation indicated that notification to the resident's representative was either delayed or not completed prior to the moves. Specifically, nurses' notes included late entries documenting notification after the fact, and the Director of Nursing confirmed that documentation of room changes was not made until a later date. Interviews revealed that the resident's representative was only notified of one of the recent room changes, despite multiple moves occurring. Facility policy requires that residents and their families be informed of room changes and that this information be documented in the medical record, including details such as the date and time of the move, who assisted, and how the resident tolerated the move. The failure to notify and properly document notification to the resident's representative prior to room changes led to the identified deficiency.