Failure to Provide Required Written Notice for Resident Room Changes
Penalty
Summary
The deficiency involves the facility’s failure to provide advance, written notification of room changes, signed by the resident or their representative, for three residents who experienced intra-facility room moves. Facility policy required that, prior to making a room or roommate change, residents and their representatives receive advance written notice in a language and manner they understand, including the reasons for the move. For one resident admitted with COPD, chronic respiratory failure, and obesity, with intact cognition and extensive ADL assistance needs, a progress note documented that staff discussed a room move with the resident and her daughter and that they agreed; however, the intra-facility room change form dated the following day was not signed by the resident or her representative. A second resident, admitted with hypertensive chronic kidney disease, GERD, and obesity, had moderate cognitive impairment and required extensive ADL assistance. A progress note documented that this resident was informed of a room move, agreed to it, and was observed telling others about the move, but the corresponding intra-facility room change form was not signed by the resident or a representative. A third resident, admitted with limb girdle muscular dystrophy, neuromuscular bladder, and osteoarthritis, had intact cognition and extensive ADL assistance needs. For this resident, there were no progress notes documenting a discussion of the room change, and the intra-facility room change form was also unsigned by the resident or representative. During interviews, the social worker and administrator confirmed that room changes occurred for all three residents, that no written notice of the transfer was given, and that they believed 24-hour verbal notice was appropriate, which did not meet the facility’s written-notice requirement.
