Failure to Coordinate Requested Resident Transfer
Summary
The facility failed to establish and maintain identical policies and practices regarding transfer, discharge, and the provision of services under the State plan for all residents regardless of payment source for 1 of 3 residents reviewed for transfers. Resident #12 was admitted and readmitted with diagnoses including healing spinal compression fracture, generalized anxiety disorder, restless and agitation, and schizoaffective disorder bipolar type. His quarterly MDS showed a BIMS score of 6, indicating severe cognitive impairment, along with verbal behavioral symptoms, rejection of care, total dependence for ADLs and transfers, maximal assistance for bed mobility, and non-ambulatory status. The resident’s care plan, initiated on 12/06/2025, did not include a plan for discharge or transfer. Progress notes showed the resident’s family member called asking for an update on the resident’s transfer to another state and had already provided the SW with information about the desired facility. During interview, the family member stated she wanted the resident moved closer to her because she could not easily travel to the facility and had been in contact with the SW about arranging the transfer. She stated the SW told her the resident could not handle the trip and that the state would not pay for transportation, and she felt she was getting mixed messages from staff. The SW stated discharge planning began on admission and that if a family requested a transfer, she would check the resident’s BIMS score, send clinical documents to the desired facility, and wait for acceptance. However, she also stated she had not notified the physician of the family’s request, had not worked on finding alternative placement, and had not contacted the desired facility. She said administration had asked her to focus on another resident and that she believed the family’s wish was unrealistic due to the resident’s and family’s health conditions. Other staff stated the SW was aware of the request, while the BOM stated no one had asked her to check whether insurance would cover transportation or to coordinate with another facility. The DON stated she was not aware of the family’s desire for discharge before surveyor entrance and that the facility did not have access to or familiarity with company procedures, while the Regional Compliance Nurse stated the facility did not have a policy for transfers or discharges and used State regulations for guidance.
Penalty
Resources
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