Failure to Provide Timely Access to Resident Medical Records
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely access to medical records for a resident who was cognitively intact and had diagnoses including morbid obesity and chronic pain. The resident's attorney requested medical records covering a specific period, but only partial records were provided initially, with progress notes sent and billing documentation omitted. Despite eight follow-up requests from the attorney's office over several months, the complete set of records was not released until approximately four months after the initial request. The Business Office Manager acknowledged receiving multiple communications from the attorney's office but did not follow up due to being too busy. The Administrator confirmed that only a portion of the records was provided at first, and the remaining documents were sent much later. Additionally, the resident personally requested copies of their medical records, including specific documents such as history and physical, progress notes, medication list, care plan, financial data, foot wound care documentation, and transportation notes. There was no documentation indicating that the resident received these records within the required timeframe, and the resident confirmed not having received them about a week after the request. The Administrator acknowledged that the records were not delivered or made available to the resident as required by facility policy.