§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 staff interview, it was determined that the facility failed to notify the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman of a transfer to the hospital for three of 27 residents reviewed (Resident 2, 12, and Resident 70).
Findings Include:
Review of Resident 2's clinical record revealed Resident 2 was transferred to the hospital on April 18, 2026, after the resident was found on the floor.
Resident 2 was admitted into the hospital on April 18, 2026, with a diagnosis of hypoglycemia.
Further review of Resident 2's clinical record revealed Resident 2 was readmitted to the facility on April 22, 2026.
Review of Resident 2's clinical record and facility documentation failed to reveal evidence that the State Ombudsman's office was notified of Resident 2's transfer and admission to the hospital.
Review of Resident 12's clinical record revealed Resident 12 was transferred to the hospital on April 13, 2026, after resident indicated suicidal ideations.
Resident 12 was admitted into the hospital on April 13, 2026, with a suicidal ideations and hyponatremia.
Further review of Resident 12's clinical record revealed Resident 12 was readmitted to the facility on April 17, 2026.
Review of Resident 12's clinical record and facility documentation failed to reveal evidence that the State Ombudsman's office was notified of Resident 12's transfer and admission to the hospital.
Review of Resident 70's clinical record revealed Resident 70 was transferred to the hospital on May 3, 2026, at the resident's request due to a fall.
Resident 70 was admitted into the hospital on May 3, 2026, with a diagnosis of pneumonia and hypoxic respiratory failure.
Further review of Resident 70's clinical record revealed Resident 70 was readmitted to the facility on May 12, 2026.
Review of Resident 70's clinical record revealed Resident 70 was transferred to the hospital on June 7, 2026, due to diarrhea and blood in stool.
Further review of Resident 70's clinical record revealed Resident 70 returned to the facility on June 9, 2026.
Review of Resident 70's clinical record and facility documentation failed to reveal evidence that the State Ombudsman's office was notified of Resident 1's transfer and admission to the hospital.
These findings were shared with the NHA (Nursing Home Administrator) and DON (Director of Nursing) on August 14, 2026, at approximately 1:15 p.m.
28 Pa. Code 201.18(a)(b)(1)(3) Management
| | Plan of Correction - To be completed: 09/30/2026
Step 1: The Ombudsman was notified of hospital transfers/discharges for residents 2, 12, and 70, of the stated dates retroactively.
Step 2: An audit will be completed in the last 30 days to ensure the ombudsman was notified of discharged residents in the period reviewed.
Step 3: NPE/designee will re-educate Social Services and Admissions on the importance of issuing a written notice to the office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman regarding any resident's hospitalization.
Step 4: Social Services to conduct weekly audits x12 weeks to verify all residents transfer to the hospital are reported to the office of the State Long Term Care Ombudsman. Social Services or designee will review outcome audits at QAPI committee x3 months
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