Failure to Provide Discharge Notice and Allow Resident Return After Hospital Transfer
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to provide a required discharge notice for a resident who was transferred to the hospital. The resident was initially admitted and then transferred to the hospital due to fluid leakage from the skin. Documentation shows that after the hospital determined there was no reason to admit the resident and requested the facility to arrange for the resident's return, facility staff refused to allow the resident to return, stating they could not meet the resident's care needs. The facility's policy requires notification of the resident's physician, the receiving facility, preparation of a transfer form, and notification of the resident's representative or family, but there was no evidence that a 30-day discharge or emergency discharge notice was provided in this case. Interviews with the Social Service Director and the administrator confirmed that the decision not to allow the resident to return was made by the administrator, and that no discharge notice was issued because staff were focused on transferring the resident and did not anticipate the resident's return. Review of the electronic medical record confirmed the absence of the required discharge notice, indicating noncompliance with discharge procedures and regulatory requirements.