Failure to Coordinate PASRR Assessments and Submit NFSS Request
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to coordinate assessments with the Pre-Admission Screening and Resident Review (PASRR) program for a resident identified as PASRR positive for developmental disability. After an initial interdisciplinary team (IDT) meeting, the facility did not submit a complete and accurate request for Nursing Facility Specialized Services (NFSS) in the LTC online portal within the required 20-day timeframe. The resident, who had multiple diagnoses including encephalitis, demyelinating disease, bipolar disorder, functional quadriplegia, and major depressive disorder, was determined to need several specialized services such as customized wheelchair and therapy assessments. However, the resident refused all recommended services after initially agreeing to them, and the staff were uncertain about the correct procedure to follow in this situation. Interviews with facility staff revealed confusion regarding responsibilities for submitting the NFSS form and uncertainty about the process when a resident refuses services after initially consenting. The MDS Coordinator and Director of Rehabilitation (DOR) were identified as responsible for the submission, but the form was not submitted as required. The facility's PASRR policy requires screening and evaluation for mental disorders or intellectual disabilities prior to admission and provision of appropriate services, but this process was not completed in accordance with regulations for the resident in question.