§483.15(c)(2) Documentation. When the facility transfers or discharges a resident under any of the circumstances specified in paragraphs (c)(1)(i)(A) through (F) of this section, the facility must ensure that the transfer or discharge is documented in the resident's medical record and appropriate information is communicated to the receiving health care institution or provider. (iii) Information provided to the receiving provider must include a minimum of the following: (A) Contact information of the practitioner responsible for the care of the resident. (B) Resident representative information including contact information (C) Advance Directive information (D) All special instructions or precautions for ongoing care, as appropriate. (E) Comprehensive care plan goals; (F) All other necessary information, including a copy of the resident's discharge summary, consistent with §483.21(c)(2) as applicable, and any other documentation, as applicable, to ensure a safe and effective transition of care.
§483.15(c)(3) Notice before transfer. Before a facility transfers or discharges a resident, the facility must- (i) Notify the resident and the resident's representative(s) of the transfer or discharge and the reasons for the move in writing and in a language and manner they understand. The facility must send a copy of the notice to a representative of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman. (ii) Record the reasons for the transfer or discharge in the resident's medical record in accordance with paragraph (c)(2) of this section; and (iii) Include in the notice the items described in paragraph (c)(5) of this section.
§483.15(c)(4) Timing of the notice. (i) Except as specified in paragraphs (c)(4)(ii) and (c)(8) of this section, the notice of transfer or discharge required under this section must be made by the facility at least 30 days before the resident is transferred or discharged. (ii) Notice must be made as soon as practicable before transfer or discharge when- (A) The safety of individuals in the facility would be endangered under paragraph (c)(1)(i)(C) of this section; (B) The health of individuals in the facility would be endangered, under paragraph (c)(1)(i)(D) of this section; (C) The resident's health improves sufficiently to allow a more immediate transfer or discharge, under paragraph (c)(1)(i)(B) of this section; (D) An immediate transfer or discharge is required by the resident's urgent medical needs, under paragraph (c)(1)(i)(A) of this section; or (E) A resident has not resided in the facility for 30 days.
§483.15(c)(5) Contents of the notice. The written notice specified in paragraph (c)(3) of this section must include the following:
(i) The reason for transfer or discharge; (ii) The effective date of transfer or discharge; (iii) The location to which the resident is transferred or discharged; (iv) A statement of the resident's appeal rights, including the name, address (mailing and email), and telephone number of the entity which receives such requests; and information on how to obtain an appeal form and assistance in completing the form and submitting the appeal hearing request; (v) The name, address (mailing and email) and telephone number of the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman; (vi) For nursing facility residents with intellectual and developmental disabilities or related disabilities, the mailing and email address and telephone number of the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy of individuals with developmental disabilities established under Part C of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act of 2000 (Pub. L. 106-402, codified at 42 U.S.C. 15001 et seq.); and (vii) For nursing facility residents with a mental disorder or related disabilities, the mailing and email address and telephone number of the agency responsible for the protection and advocacy of individuals with a mental disorder established under the Protection and Advocacy for Mentally Ill Individuals Act.
§483.15(c)(6) Changes to the notice. If the information in the notice changes prior to effecting the transfer or discharge, the facility must update the recipients of the notice as soon as practicable once the updated information becomes available.
§483.15(c)(8) Notice in advance of facility closure In the case of facility closure, the individual who is the administrator of the facility must provide written notification prior to the impending closure to the State Survey Agency, the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman, residents of the facility, and the resident representatives, as well as the plan for the transfer and adequate relocation of the residents, as required at § 483.70(l).
§483.15(d) Notice of bed-hold policy and return-
§483.15(d)(1) Notice before transfer. Before a nursing facility transfers a resident to a hospital or the resident goes on therapeutic leave, the nursing facility must provide written information to the resident or resident representative that specifies- (i) The duration of the state bed-hold policy, if any, during which the resident is permitted to return and resume residence in the nursing facility; (ii) The reserve bed payment policy in the state plan, under § 447.40 of this chapter, if any; (iii) The nursing facility's policies regarding bed-hold periods, which must be consistent with paragraph (e)(1 ) of this section, permitting a resident to return; and (iv) The information specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section.
§483.15(d)(2) Bed-hold notice upon transfer. At the time of transfer of a resident for hospitalization or therapeutic leave, a nursing facility must provide to the resident and the resident representative written notice which specifies the duration of the bed-hold policy described in paragraph (d)(1) of this section.
§483.21(c)(2) Discharge Summary When the facility anticipates discharge, a resident must have a discharge summary that includes, but is not limited to, the following: (i) A recapitulation of the resident's stay that includes, but is not limited to, diagnoses, course of illness/treatment or therapy, and pertinent lab, radiology, and consultation results. (ii) A final summary of the resident's status to include items in paragraph (b)(1) of §483.20, at the time of the discharge that is available for release to authorized persons and agencies, with the consent of the resident or resident's representative. (iii) Reconciliation of all pre-discharge medications with the resident's post-discharge medications (both prescribed and over-the-counter).
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Observations:
Based on clinical record review and resident and staff interview it was determined that the facility failed to provide written notice of transfer and written notice of the facility bed-hold policy to residents' responsible parties at the time of transfer for two of six residents reviewed for hospitalization concerns (Residents 2 and 6).
Findings include:
Clinical record review for Resident 2 revealed profile information that indicated that she had resident representatives that included her mother, a male emergency contact, and an adult protective services county representative.
Nursing documentation dated October 1, 2025, at 1:45 PM revealed that Resident 2 was admitted to the hospital following an above-the-knee amputation.
The facility provided a Notice of Transfer or Discharge dated October 1, 2025, addressed to Resident 2, that noted the transfer to the hospital on October 1, 2025, was necessary for the surgical procedure of a right above-the-knee amputation. Staff documented a verbal review of the notice with Resident 2 on October 1, 2025. There was no indication that Resident 2 and one of her resident representatives received a written copy of the notice. The facility did not provide evidence that Resident 2 and one of her representatives received written notice which specified the duration of the facility's bed-hold policy within 24 hours of Resident 2's transfer.
Nursing documentation dated November 21, 2025, at 10:34 AM revealed that Resident 2 was lethargic, difficult to arouse, and had a low blood pressure. Staff contacted the physician who instructed staff to send Resident 2 to the emergency room.
Nursing documentation dated November 21, 2025, at 11:52 PM revealed that the hospital informed facility staff that Resident 2 was admitted for an infection related to kidney stones and revision of ureteral stents (tubes placed in the vessels from the kidney to the bladder to correct and/or prevent obstruction).
The facility provided a Notice of Transfer or Discharge dated November 21, 2025, addressed to Resident 2, that noted the transfer to the hospital on November 21, 2025, was necessary due to abnormal laboratory results. Staff documented, "resident unable to sign at present," on November 21, 2025. There was no indication that Resident 2 and one of her resident representatives received a written copy of the notice. A Bed Hold Notice form noted, "unable to sign at present time," that Resident 2 was contacted by facility staff on November 21, 2025, at 10:00 AM, and that the Bed Hold Election form was mailed to Resident 2 for signature on November 24, 2025 (three days after the transfer to the hospital). The facility did not provide evidence that Resident 2 and one of her representatives received written notice which specified the duration of the facility's bed-hold policy within 24 hours of Resident 2's transfer.
The surveyor reviewed the above concerns regarding Resident 2's and her resident representative's receipt of the required notices upon her transfers to the hospital during an interview with the Nursing Home Administrator and the Director of Nursing on February 5, 2026, at 12:25 PM.
Interview with Resident 6 on February 2, 2026, at 2:13 PM revealed that she was recently hospitalized after she fell and broke her femur (long leg bone in the thigh area).
Census information for Resident 6 confirmed that she was on hospital leave starting December 26, 2025.
Review of Resident 6's profile information revealed that her resident representatives included her son.
The facility provided a Notice of Transfer or Discharge dated December 26, 2025, addressed to Resident 6, that noted the transfer to the hospital on December 26, 2025, was necessary due to a fall with possible fracture. Resident 6 signed the notice on December 26, 2025. There was no evidence that Resident 6's representative received a written copy of the notice. A Bed Hold Notice form noted, "verbal (son's name)," on December 26, 2025. The section of the Bed Hold Notice that is used to document the mailing or emailing of the notice was left blank.
The surveyor reviewed the above concerns regarding Resident 6's representative's receipt of the required notices upon her transfer to the hospital during an interview with the Nursing Home Administrator and the Director of Nursing on February 5, 2026, at 12:25 PM.
28 Pa. Code 201.14(a) Responsibility of licensee
28 Pa. Code 201.29(a) Resident rights
| | Plan of Correction - To be completed: 03/18/2026
Facility cannot retroactively provide written notice of transfer to Resident 6 and 2's representatives.
Social Services/Designee audited the last 30 days of transfers to ensure completion.
Nursing staff will be reeducated on providing written transfer and bed hold notices to resident representatives at the time of transfer.
NHA/Designee will audit transfer notices weekly x4 and monthly x2. Results of audits will be reviewed by the Quality Assurance Performance Improvement Committee and changes will be made as necessary.
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