Failure to Post Required State Agency and Advocacy Group Contact Information
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to post a list of names, addresses (mailing and email), and telephone numbers of all required state agencies and advocacy groups, including the State Survey Agency, Department of Social Services, State Long Term Care Ombudsman Program, and the resident advocacy network. This deficiency was observed on three out of four days during the onsite recertification survey, with surveyors noting the absence of these postings in all hallways and common areas of the facility. Multiple observations confirmed that the required information was not displayed anywhere accessible to residents or their representatives. During a Resident Council meeting, several residents reported not knowing who the local Ombudsman was, how to contact them, or how to contact the State Agency to file a complaint. Interviews with the Activities Director and the DON confirmed the lack of postings and indicated that it was the Administrator's responsibility to ensure this information was available. The Administrator acknowledged that the information should be posted in a visible and accessible location but believed that the existing federal posting related to Medicare/Medicaid was sufficient.