§483.21(c)(1) Discharge Planning Process The facility must develop and implement an effective discharge planning process that focuses on the resident's discharge goals, the preparation of residents to be active partners and effectively transition them to post-discharge care, and the reduction of factors leading to preventable readmissions. The facility's discharge planning process must be consistent with the discharge rights set forth at 483.15(b) as applicable and- (i) Ensure that the discharge needs of each resident are identified and result in the development of a discharge plan for each resident. (ii) Include regular re-evaluation of residents to identify changes that require modification of the discharge plan. The discharge plan must be updated, as needed, to reflect these changes. (iii) Involve the interdisciplinary team, as defined by §483.21(b)(2)(ii), in the ongoing process of developing the discharge plan. (iv) Consider caregiver/support person availability and the resident's or caregiver's/support person(s) capacity and capability to perform required care, as part of the identification of discharge needs. (v) Involve the resident and resident representative in the development of the discharge plan and inform the resident and resident representative of the final plan. (vi) Address the resident's goals of care and treatment preferences. (vii) Document that a resident has been asked about their interest in receiving information regarding returning to the community. (A) If the resident indicates an interest in returning to the community, the facility must document any referrals to local contact agencies or other appropriate entities made for this purpose. (B) Facilities must update a resident's comprehensive care plan and discharge plan, as appropriate, in response to information received from referrals to local contact agencies or other appropriate entities. (C) If discharge to the community is determined to not be feasible, the facility must document who made the determination and why. (viii) For residents who are transferred to another SNF or who are discharged to a HHA, IRF, or LTCH, assist residents and their resident representatives in selecting a post-acute care provider by using data that includes, but is not limited to SNF, HHA, IRF, or LTCH standardized patient assessment data, data on quality measures, and data on resource use to the extent the data is available. The facility must ensure that the post-acute care standardized patient assessment data, data on quality measures, and data on resource use is relevant and applicable to the resident's goals of care and treatment preferences. (ix) Document, complete on a timely basis based on the resident's needs, and include in the clinical record, the evaluation of the resident's discharge needs and discharge plan. The results of the evaluation must be discussed with the resident or resident's representative. All relevant resident information must be incorporated into the discharge plan to facilitate its implementation and to avoid unnecessary delays in the resident's discharge or transfer.
|
Observations:
Based on a review of clinical records, select facility policy, and resident and staff interviews, it was determined the facility failed to develop and implement an effective discharge planning process that focuses on the resident's discharge goals for one out of the 30 residents sampled (Resident 36). Findings include: A review of the facility policy titled "Discharge Planning Process," reviewed by the facility on March 20, 2025, revealed it is the facility's policy that when a resident's discharge is anticipated, the facility will develop and implement a discharge plan that focuses on the resident's discharge goals, the preparation of residents to be active partners and effectively transition them to post-discharge, and the reduction of factors leading to preventable readmissions. The policy indicates if the resident is interested in returning to the community, then the facility will document any referrals to local contact agencies or other appropriate entities made for this purpose. If the discharge to the community is determined to not be feasible, the facility will document who made the determination and why. A clinical record review revealed Resident 36 was admitted to the facility on September 15, 2022, with diagnoses that included systemic lupus erythematosus (a chronic autoimmune disease where the body's immune system attacks its own healthy tissues and organs, causing inflammation and potential damage) and poly-osteoarthritis (a condition where cartilage, the tissue that cushions the ends of bones in joints, wears down, causing pain, stiffness, and limited movement). A care plan indicating Resident 36 plans to return to the community was initiated on June 10, 2024. Interventions to assist Resident 36's safe transition back to the community include periodically reevaluating the resident's capabilities to return to the community and involving specialized home care agencies and appropriate community support services. A progress note dated November 13, 2024, at 2:11 PM indicated social services met with the resident regarding an application sent to the housing authority and the nursing home transition program. The note indicated Resident 36 would like to return to the community, and social services will assist as needed.
Further clinical record review revealed no subsequent documented evidence regarding Resident 36's discharge planning process.
A review of a quarterly Minimum Data Set assessment (MDS-a federally mandated standardized assessment process conducted periodically to plan resident care) dated February 4, 2025, revealed that Resident 36 is cognitively intact with a BIMS score of 15 (Brief Interview for Mental Status- a tool within the Cognitive Section of the MDS that is used to assess the resident's attention, orientation, and ability to register and recall new information; a score of 13-15 indicates cognition is intact).
During an interview on April 8, 2025, at 10:45 AM, Resident 36 indicated that her plan is to be discharged home. She explained the facility has not assisted her with the discharge process.
During an interview on April 10, 2025, at approximately 12:30 PM, the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) was unable to provide documented evidence of discharge planning for Resident 36 after November 13, 2024. The NHA confirmed there was no documented evidence indicating if Resident 36's return to the community is feasible. The NHA confirmed it is the facility's responsibility to develop and implement effective discharge planning processes that focuses on residents' individualized discharge goals.
28 Pa. Code 201.29(a) Resident rights.
| | Plan of Correction - To be completed: 05/13/2025
Step 1- Resident 36 discharge plan was reviewed to ensure the discharge goals were focused on the residents' plan and subsequent documentation regarding the plan was completed. Step 2- To identify other residents that have the potential to be affected, the NHA / designee will interview current residents and / or resident representatives to determine what their current discharge plan is and that follow up has occurred based on their plan. Follow up will occur based on the findings of the completed interviews. Step 3- To prevent this from reoccurring, the NHA / designee will educate the social services team on discharge planning and ongoing documentation related to status updates for residents and / or residents representatives who are requesting to be discharged from the facility. Step 4- To monitor and maintain compliance, the NHA / designee will audit resident's records that are planning to discharge from the facility for status updates and documentation on the status weekly. The IDT will discuss potential barriers identified during the discharge planning process. The audits will be completed weekly times 4 weeks and then monthly times 3. The results of the audits will be forwarded to QAPI committee for further review and recommendations
|
|