HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and record review, the facility failed to ensure the patient and their representative were aware of their right to freedom of choice for post-hospital services for 3 (#s 3, 6, and 7) of 12 sampled patients. Findings include:

During an interview on 12/2/25 at 8:30 a.m., staff member D stated it was the RN care manager's responsibility to ensure the freedom of choice was signed by the patient or their representative when they received post-hospital health care services. Staff member D stated the form was generated through the EHR system and printed automatically to the unit where the patient was staying. She stated the form listed the post-hospital service providers by type. The form had a place for the patient or representative to sign the form. Once the form was signed, the form was kept with other patient specific papers and was eventually scanned into the EHR. Staff member D stated the only issue was the forms were sometimes lost and did not make it to the scanned documents section within the EHR.

During an interview on 12/3/25 at 2:53 p.m., staff member E stated he printed the freedom of choice form twice, once on the unit and once in his office. Staff member E stated he did this so that he was sure to get the form signed.

Review of patient #3's care management notes, dated between 9/24/25 and 10/9/25, showed the patient was to be discharged home with family and home health care services. No signed freedom of choice form was found.

Review of patient #6's care management notes, dated between 11/21/25 and 11/25/25, showed the patient was to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility. No signed freedom of choice form was found.

Review of patient #7's care management notes, dated between 11/14/25 to 11/19/25, showed the patient was to be discharged to a skilled nursing facility. No signed freedom of choice form was found.

A request was made on 12/3/25 for the signed freedom of choice forms for resident #s 3, 6, and 7. None were received prior to the end of the survey.