Failure to Readmit Resident After Hospitalization Despite Successful Appeal
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to permit a resident to remain in the facility and did not ensure the resident was readmitted after being sent to the hospital for a change in condition. The resident, an elderly female with multiple diagnoses including dementia, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, anemia, and mobility issues, was originally admitted and later readmitted to the facility. After a change in condition, she was sent to the hospital for evaluation. Despite her responsible party winning an appeal against discharge, the facility refused to readmit her upon her return from the hospital, and she was ultimately discharged to her home without her wheelchair. Interviews with facility staff, including the DON and Administrator, revealed that the decision not to readmit the resident was made by the corporate office, citing ongoing harassment of staff and other residents by the resident's responsible party. The Administrator acknowledged awareness of the successful appeal but prioritized the safety of staff and other residents due to complaints and resignations attributed to the responsible party's behavior. The facility's discharge policy did not provide evidence of procedures following an appeal process. Attempts to contact the resident's physician and hospital social worker for further information were unsuccessful.