Failure to Notify Emergency Contact of Resident Transfer
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to notify the emergency contact of a resident who was transferred to the emergency room for chest pain that was not relieved by Nitroglycerin and at the resident's request. Record review showed no documentation that the resident's emergency contact, his brother, was notified of the transfer. There was also no documentation indicating that the resident did not want his emergency contact notified. The resident's care plan indicated family involvement in the last 14 days and did not specify any wishes to exclude the brother from notification in emergencies. Interviews with facility staff revealed conflicting information. The DON stated that the resident did not wish for his brother to be notified and that this was reflected in the care plan, but review of the care plan did not support this claim. The Regional Nurse Consultant indicated that the brother was not notified because the resident was his own responsible party. Facility policy allows for disclosure of information to individuals involved in the resident's care or for notification purposes, but there was no evidence that this policy was followed in this instance.