HospitalInspections.org

Based on medical record review, document review and interview, in one (1) of six (6) medical records reviewed, it was determined the facility failed to provide a patient or his representative information regarding the Important Message from Medicare (IM) in a timely manner. This was evident in Medical Record #1.

Findings include:

A review of medical record #1 identified the following: This sixty-eight year old patient was admitted to the facility on 10/14/18 with a complaint of altered mental status. The patient was accompanied with a daughter who was his health care proxy and she remained at the patient's bedside throughout his hospitalization alternately with another sibling. The patient awoke on 10/15/18 at 6:00 AM and according to the nursing staff was awake and alert. The facility provided the Important Message for Medicare to the patient's sister on 10/19/18, which is the day the patient was discharged from the facility.

The facility's policy titled "Important Message From Medicare Distribution," which was last revised 2/2018 states: "when the beneficiary is unable to comprehend the notice, the IM must be delivered by the Registration Staff to the beneficiary's representative to be signed by the representative within 2 business days. If for any reason Registration Staff is unable to obtain signature of the beneficiary or their representative within 2 business days, the attempts should be documented on the form and the Medical Management Department will be notified."

The facility could not provide any evidence that this was done.

These findings were shared with Staff A, the Director of Nursing on 5/29/19 at approximately 3:15 PM.