Failure to Provide Written Notice Before Roommate Changes
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to provide 72-hour written notification to residents prior to assigning them new roommates, as required by both regulation and facility policy. Specifically, two residents were assigned new roommates without receiving advance written notice. Documentation review showed that one resident was temporarily moved to different rooms due to incompatibility with a previous roommate, resulting in new roommate assignments for two other residents. There was no evidence that these residents received the required written notification before the changes occurred. Interviews with facility staff, including the Social Service Director, Admission Coordinator, and Administrator, confirmed that notifications regarding new roommate assignments were conducted informally and verbally, with no documentation to support that written notice was provided. Review of the facility's policy indicated that all parties involved in a room or roommate change should receive a 72-hour advance written notice, including the reason for the change and information to help residents become acquainted with new roommates. However, staff were unable to provide documentation that this process was followed for the affected residents.