Failure to Provide 30-Day Written Discharge Notice and Discharge Planning
Penalty
Summary
A deficiency occurred when the facility failed to provide a 30-day written notice of discharge and did not complete discharge planning for one resident. The resident, a male with diagnoses including type 2 diabetes, cognitive communication deficit, and atherosclerotic heart disease, was discharged to home with family. Documentation review revealed no 30-day discharge notice or evidence of discharge planning in the resident's electronic medical record. The discharge was recorded as unplanned, and the transfer/discharge report did not indicate a reason for discharge. Interviews with facility staff, including the Administrator and Director of Nursing, confirmed that the resident was discharged due to being a registered sex offender and making comments about wanting a girlfriend and sitting by females in the dining room. However, there were no documented incidents or reports of inappropriate behavior, and multiple staff members, including nurses, CNAs, and dietary aides, stated they were unaware of any inappropriate actions by the resident. The family member reported being called on the day of discharge and told to pick up the resident or the police would be called, with no prior notice or detailed explanation of the behavior leading to discharge. The facility's transfer and discharge policy requires a 30-day written notice unless exigent circumstances exist, such as a threat to health or safety, which was not substantiated by incident reports or staff observations. The policy also mandates discharge planning and communication with the resident or responsible party, which was not documented in this case. The lack of proper notice and planning was confirmed through record review and staff and family interviews.