Failure to Provide Required Transfer Notices and Bed-Hold Policy Information
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide required written notices of transfer and information on bed-hold policies to residents and/or their representatives prior to facility-initiated hospital transfers for three out of five sampled residents. Specifically, there was no evidence that written transfer notices or bed-hold policy information were given to the residents or their representatives for multiple transfers. In some cases, the transfer notices were not signed by the facility representative, and there was no verification of receipt by the resident or responsible party. Additionally, the facility did not send copies of the transfer notices to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman as required. Interviews with the Nursing Home Administrator confirmed the absence of documentation showing that the required notices were provided or that the Ombudsman was notified. Policy reviews indicated that the facility's procedures require written information on bed-hold practices to be provided both in advance and at the time of transfer, with documentation of attempts to notify representatives. However, these procedures were not followed, as evidenced by the lack of signed and dated copies of the notices in the residents' medical records and the failure to notify the Ombudsman.