Failure to Provide Written Discharge Notification and Appeal Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide proper written discharge notification to a resident's Durable Power of Attorney (DPOA) during the discharge process. The resident, who had a diagnosis of dementia with behavioral disturbance and was assessed as severely cognitively impaired, was abruptly discharged from the facility. The DPOA reported receiving only a telephone call from the Admissions Coordinator informing her that the resident needed to be transferred to another skilled nursing facility and was instructed to come immediately to transport the resident. The DPOA was not given the option to appeal the discharge and was not informed that the discharge was voluntary. Upon arrival at the facility, the DPOA was told by the Nursing Home Administrator that the resident was being harassed by another resident and had to leave. The Nursing Home Administrator later confirmed that no written notification of discharge, including the rationale for discharge and information about appeal rights, was provided to the DPOA at the time of the resident's discharge. Facility policy requires that such notice be given to both the resident and their representative, including the specific reason for discharge, explanation of appeal rights, and information on how to obtain and submit an appeal form.