Failure to Assist Resident with Transportation for Medical Appointments
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to assist a resident in making appropriate transportation arrangements to and from laboratory services outside of the facility, resulting in multiple missed medical appointments. The resident reported missing appointments for over a year due to the loss of their original wheelchair, which was compatible with the facility's contracted cab service. The replacement wheelchair provided by the facility was larger and could not fit in the available taxi, and the resident had not received an approved power wheelchair due to delays in payment processing. Despite the resident's repeated requests for assistance, including communication with the Social Worker, no effective solution was provided, and the resident was only given grievance forms without resolution. Record reviews confirmed that the resident missed several appointments because the available transportation could not accommodate the larger wheelchair. Staff interviews revealed that the facility was limited to scheduling with a single taxi service, which could not transport the resident's current wheelchair, and alternative transportation options were not pursued. The Director of Rehab Services confirmed that the resident was approved for a power wheelchair, but the facility's billing process delayed payment, preventing the resident from receiving the necessary equipment. Communication between facility staff and regional business offices showed ongoing delays in processing the invoice for the power wheelchair, with no payment status available at the time of the survey.