Failure to Provide Required Written Notices for Facility-Initiated Transfers
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide sufficiently detailed written notices of facility-initiated hospital transfers to a resident and the resident's representative. Specifically, for three separate hospital transfers involving the same resident, there was no evidence in the clinical record or facility documentation that written notices were given to either the resident or their representative. The required notices were missing key information, including the reason for the transfer, contact information for the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and, if applicable, contact information for the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy of individuals with developmental disabilities or mental illness. Interviews with the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) and Director of Nursing (DON) confirmed that the facility was unable to produce documentation showing that the required written notices had been provided for the transfers. The deficiency was identified through a review of clinical records, written notices, and staff interviews, and was found to be in violation of state regulations regarding resident rights and facility responsibilities.