Failure to Provide Required Notices and Advocacy Contact Information
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required written notices and contact information for advocacy groups and instructions on how to file a complaint with the State Agency to four residents who were reviewed for these requirements. All four residents had intact cognition and required varying levels of assistance with activities of daily living due to diagnoses such as heart failure, depression, chronic pain, anxiety, spina bifida, and muscle weakness. Despite the facility's policy stating that residents would be given a list of names, addresses, and telephone numbers for pertinent regulatory agencies and advocacy groups, these residents were not aware of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman or how to contact the State Agency. During interviews, two residents stated they did not know what a Long-Term Care Ombudsman was or how to contact one, and all four residents indicated they did not know how or why to contact the State Agency. Staff interviews revealed that residents were only reminded of a poster with the required information at the main entrance, and staff were not actively informing residents about the Ombudsman or reporting procedures. The administrator acknowledged that the facility had not fully met regulatory requirements regarding resident notices and contact information.