Failure to Transmit MDS Discharge Assessments to CMS
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to electronically transmit encoded, accurate, and complete Minimum Data Set (MDS) discharge assessments to the CMS System for 16 out of 40 sampled residents. Although the MDS discharge assessments for these residents were completed, they were not transmitted as required. The specific residents affected had discharge assessment dates ranging from early January to late April, and the assessments remained unsubmitted to CMS at the time of the survey. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the MDS Coordinator is responsible for generating transmission files after the MDS assessments are signed off by a Registered Nurse. The process includes correcting and resending any rejected transmissions. However, despite this process, the discharge MDS assessments for the identified residents were not transmitted, indicating a breakdown in the facility's procedures for timely and accurate data submission.