Failure to Timely Submit Specialized Services Request for Customized Wheelchair
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to submit a complete and accurate request for nursing facility specialized services (NFSS) in the LTC Online Portal within 20 business days after the Interdisciplinary Team (IDT) meeting for a resident requiring a customized manual wheelchair. The resident, a female with diagnoses including cerebral palsy, unspecified lack of coordination, and muscle weakness, was identified as needing a customized wheelchair during an IDT meeting. Despite this, the required NFSS request was not submitted by the deadline, and the resident had not received the necessary equipment after seven months in the facility. Observations and interviews confirmed that the resident continued to use a standard wheelchair rather than the customized one recommended for her needs. Both the Administrator and the MDS Coordinator acknowledged that the request should have been submitted within the required timeframe, and that the MDS nurse was responsible for ensuring timely submission of all necessary documentation. The delay in submitting the request resulted in the resident not having access to the specialized equipment identified as necessary for her mobility and care.