Failure to Coordinate Hospice Services and Obtain Required Documentation
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to obtain essential hospice documentation and coordinate care for a resident admitted for a respite stay while receiving hospice services. Specifically, the facility did not secure the hospice election form, hospice plan of care, or physician certification and recertification of terminal illness from the hospice agency. Additionally, there was no designated member of the facility's interdisciplinary team responsible for coordinating with hospice representatives to ensure the resident's care was managed appropriately. During the resident's respite stay, the facility did not coordinate with Hospice Agency J to ensure the continuation of hospice aide services, resulting in the resident not receiving scheduled hospice aide visits for several days. Interviews revealed that staff were unclear about the hospice services to be provided, and there was confusion regarding the hospice aide's schedule and responsibilities. The facility staff relied on their usual procedures with other hospice agencies, but this was a new agency, and necessary communication and documentation were lacking. The resident involved was an elderly female with Alzheimer's disease, admitted for a short-term respite stay. She was ambulatory, required minimal assistance, and had a history of short-term memory impairment and wandering behaviors. Despite being scheduled for showers and some assistance, the lack of coordination between the facility and hospice agency led to missed hospice aide services, as neither party ensured the aide visits occurred or communicated effectively about the resident's care plan.