Delay in Disbursement of Resident Funds After Discharge
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to disburse a resident's personal funds to the resident's estate within the required 30-day period following discharge, as mandated by facility policy. A review of records showed that a resident with diagnoses including congestive heart failure, hypertension, and dementia, who was severely cognitively impaired, was discharged from the facility. The resident's responsible party had previously authorized the management of personal funds. Despite this, the resident's account, which had a balance of $35.12, was not closed and the funds were not conveyed to the estate until nearly three months after discharge. This delay was confirmed by the facility administrator during an interview and was not in accordance with the facility's written policy on managing personal funds.