Failure to Timely Notify Ombudsman of Resident Discharges
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide timely notification to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman regarding the discharge of two residents. For the first resident, who had severe cognitive impairment as indicated by a Brief Interview for Mental Status (BIMS) score of 3, the discharge notice was faxed to the ombudsman's office on the same day the resident was picked up and discharged. Documentation showed that the resident had expressed a desire to return to his hometown community prior to discharge. For the second resident, who had moderate cognitive impairment with a BIMS score of 8, the discharge notice was also sent to the ombudsman's office on the day of discharge. The resident had previously communicated to the social services director a wish to transfer to a lower level of care. Facility policy required that discharge notices be sent to the ombudsman's office at the same time as they are provided to the resident and their representative, but this was not followed in these cases.