Failure to Arrange Home Health Services at Discharge
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that a resident was set up with home health services upon discharge. The resident, who had a history of Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome (POTS) and required daily IV fluid boluses, was admitted to the facility after a hospitalization and continued to receive daily IV fluids during their stay. Prior to discharge, the resident expressed a preference for a specific home health agency, but that agency did not accept the resident's insurance. The facility then referred the resident to an alternative agency, which was documented in the resident's post-discharge plan of care. However, the alternative home health agency also did not accept the resident's insurance and notified the facility of this on the day of discharge. Despite this notification, the resident was discharged without home health services in place. This failure was confirmed through interviews and review of the medical record, as well as direct communication with the home health agency involved.