Failure to Complete and Document Discharge Process and Communication
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the discharge process for two residents was completed in a timely and thorough manner. For one resident with multiple diagnoses including anoxic brain injury, dementia, and psychiatric disorders, documentation showed that after several unsuccessful referrals to other nursing facilities, there was no further evidence of continued efforts or communication with the resident's guardian regarding the discharge process. The resident's care plan required all discharge planning to be documented, but there was a lack of documentation and communication after a certain date, as confirmed by both the guardian and the Social Services Director. For another resident with complex medical and psychiatric conditions, the facility initially communicated with the guardian about pursuing an assisted living waiver and possible discharge. However, after a certain point, there was no further documentation of progress or communication with the guardian regarding the discharge plan. The Social Services Director confirmed that there had been no recent contact or documentation about the discharge process for this resident. The facility's policy states that residents have the right to communication and support in exercising their rights, but this was not upheld in these cases.