Failure to Maintain Ongoing Dialysis Communication Records
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to maintain ongoing records of communication between the facility and the dialysis center for two residents requiring dialysis services. For one resident with end stage renal disease, there were no communication notes from the dialysis center for two specific dates, despite the resident attending dialysis on one of those days and missing the other due to a dermatology appointment. The resident's care plan included coordination with dialysis as needed but did not specify ongoing communication, coordination, or collaboration between the facility and the dialysis center. Staff interviews confirmed the absence of communication notes and the inability to locate them in the communication book or electronic records. For another resident with end stage renal disease receiving in-house dialysis, there were no communication notes from the dialysis center for the last week of February. The resident reported receiving dialysis services Monday through Friday and carrying the communication book to and from dialysis. The care plan required that the dialysis communication record be sent and returned with each appointment, but staff confirmed the absence of notes for the specified period, attributing it to the need for uploading into the electronic medical records. No further information or comments were provided by facility leadership during the final interview.