HospitalInspections.org

Based on document review and interview, facility failed to ensure patient's Power of Attorney (POA) was updated/involved in patient plan of care with patient's discharge/transfer, per facility policy and standards of practice for 1 of 10 patients (patient # 1).

Findings Include:

1. Review of hospital policy titled "Patient Rights and Responsibilities", PolicyStat ID 10359862: Patient right to receive information and be informed of care, participate in development of the care plan to include discharge plans. All patient rights apply to the person designated as having legal authority. This policy was last revised 09/2021.

2. Review of facility document titled "An Important Message From Medicare About Your Rights: Your Medicare Discharge Rights" dated 12/28/22 at 9:15 am with documented verbal consent by patient's POA. Hospital staff will inform you of your planned discharge date.

3. Review of P # 1's MR's indicate a designated POA based on patient's medical diagnosis and inability to make medical decisions regarding his/her care.

4. MR's for P # 1 indicate he/she was discharged/transferred from H # 2 on 1/12/23 to another facility. P # 1's MR's lack documentation of facility notification to patient's POA of the transfer.

5. In Interview on 2/8/23 at approximately 3:05 pm with A 7 (Social Worker) confirmed discharge/transfer planning was coordinated with the receiving facility and not communicated to patient's POA. A 7 confirmed P # 1's MR's lack documented communication with patient's POA of the patient transfer that occurred on 1/12/23.