HospitalInspections.org

39791

Based on record review, and interview, the hospital failed to ensure a complete list of HHs or SNFs was presented to patients for whom home health care or post-hospital extended care services were indicated and appropriate as determined by the discharge planning evaluation.
Findings:

Review of the Discharge Planning Policy #PCS-111 (last reviewed 8/4/16) revealed no documentation regarding the patient's FOC regarding discharge referrals identified (SNF, HH, Rehab, LTAC, Hospice) nor does the policy state the hospital shall provide the patient/family with a list of providers to choose within the patient/families desired geographical location.

On 7/10/18 at 9:30 a.m. during an interview S4RN, Director of Case Management, revealed the document titled Louisiana LTAC Hospitals. She verified this was the current list she gave to patients/family members as the list of facilities in Louisiana the patient/family can choose from.

In an interview on 7/9/18 at 12:45 p.m. S4LCSW revealed she was unclear of the guidelines used by the hospital to choose and rank facilities the CMs refer patients to as part of the discharge planning. S4LCSW stated she was under the impression she gave the patient/family a complete list of the referred services which allowed them the freedom to choose the provider of services needed by the patient after discharge from the hospital. She stated she was unaware the list they provide was not a complete list of providers to patients/families.

In an interview on 7/9/18 at 2:00 p.m. with S2RN, regarding the referral lists used by the hospital, she revealed she was not sure of the date the lists were updated (lists not dated). She further stated the LTAC list was the same list since at least 2013. She verified the list was not an updated list and did not provide the patient with the freedom of choice for all LTAC facilities in an area requested by the patient. She also verified the list for SNF's had some facilities in Baton Rouge, but not all (SNF) in Baton Rouge. S2RN confirmed the hospitals' lists of providers, by type or services, did not include all providers for any specific location, including HH, Hospice, and Rehab Hospitals or Units.

In an interview on 7/9/18 at 2:40 p.m. S5LCSW, revealed she would tell the patient/family, only if asked, that there was additional providers not listed on the SNF, LTAC, HH, Hospice, and Rehab provider discharge planning lists.

On 7/10/17 at 09:45 in an interview with S2RN and S3RN, S3RN revealed knowledge the lists provided to patients for discharge planning was not an all-inclusive list. They both further verified the list given to patients as the rehab list included only part of the providers in Alexandria, Lake Charles, Baton Rouge, and New Orleans.