HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to provide instructions for care after discharge from the hospital for one of four patients (#10).
Findings included;
Closed medical record review for patient #10, age 51, showed an admission on on 11/24/2010 with a diagnosis of respiratory failure and a discharge to a local shelter on 06/24/2011. The only discharge instruction found on the medical record are blank and do not document an explanation to the patient.
Review of the facility policy " Patient and Family Education " , revised 10/01/10 showed
" Discharge instructions will be provided to each patient upon discharge. "
During an interview on 08/08/2011 at at 4:00 p.m. the case management supervisor confirmed the discharge instructions were blank and said all patients receive discharge instructions and she thinks the original may have been sent with the patient. She attempted to to call the social worker at the shelter,but was unable to reach anyone.