Failure to Provide Required Written Discharge Notice and Appeal Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide a written notice of discharge to a resident, the resident's representative, and the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman at least 30 days prior to a planned transfer to another long-term care facility. The resident was admitted with a care plan goal to return home but was instead discharged to another facility approximately 75 miles away. Documentation in the electronic medical record did not show that the required written notice was given. The resident's daughter reported being verbally informed of the discharge six days prior but did not receive written notice or information about the right to appeal the decision. Interviews with the facility's social worker confirmed that no written discharge notice or appeal information was provided to the resident, the representative, or the Ombudsman. The social worker believed that the signed admission addendum allowed for discharge without the 30-day written notice and did not notify the Ombudsman until after the discharge occurred. Review of facility policies indicated that a 30-day written notice and information about appeal rights are required, but these procedures were not followed in this case.