Failure to Provide Required Written Discharge Notice and Appeal Rights
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide the required written notice to a resident, their representative, and the state long-term care ombudsman prior to discharging the resident and refusing readmission after hospitalization. Record review showed that the resident was transferred to the hospital and remained there beyond the bed-hold period, but hospital documentation indicated the resident was ready to return. Despite this, the facility declined readmission and did not issue a written discharge notice. There was no evidence that the notice included the reason for discharge, the effective date, or information about appeal rights, nor was there documentation that the ombudsman received a copy or that discharge planning was coordinated with the hospital and community services. Interviews with the Administrator and DON confirmed that the required written notice was not provided.