Failure to Provide Transportation for Medical Appointment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide transportation for a resident to a scheduled medical appointment, despite being aware of the appointment two weeks in advance. The resident, who had paraplegia and required dependent assistance with all activities of daily living, was scheduled for a consultation with a colon surgeon regarding a colostomy due to a swollen colon. Documentation showed that the appointment was known to staff, and reminders were given by a family friend on the day of the appointment. However, the facility did not arrange for transportation, citing the absence of the regular van driver, who called in sick that morning, and the unavailability of a backup driver in time for the appointment. Interviews with staff and family members confirmed that the facility had only one designated driver at the time, and the backup driver was not available early enough to transport the resident. The maintenance staff member, who also served as the van driver, notified the facility early in the morning that he would not be able to work. Attempts to secure alternative transportation, including contacting local emergency medical and transportation services, were unsuccessful. As a result, the appointment was canceled to avoid a fee for a missed appointment, and the resident did not receive the scheduled medical evaluation. The facility's policies indicated that they were responsible for assisting residents in arranging transportation to medical appointments. Despite this, the lack of a backup driver and the failure to secure alternative transportation led to the resident missing an important medical consultation. The incident was corroborated by interviews with the resident, family members, and facility staff, all of whom acknowledged the missed appointment and the facility's inability to provide transportation as required.