HospitalInspections.org

Based on record review and interview, the facility failed to ensure patients or patients' representatives were informed of a patient's discharge. This affected one (Patient #2) of ten medical records reviewed. This had the potential to affect all patients at the facility. The facility census was 60.

Findings include:

Record review revealed Patient #2 was admitted on 12/04/21 due to a fall at home. Patient #2 had a Health Care Power of Attorney (POA). Documentation in the medical record revealed the POA was involved with care decisions throughout Patient #2's stay at the hospital. On 12/07/21, the POA was consulted and agreed to discharge to a skilled nursing facility.

Patient #2 was discharged to the skilled nursing facility on 12/09/21. There was no documentation in Patient #2's record indicating her POA was notified of the actual discharge.

In an email communication on 12/21/21 at 4:18 PM, Staff B stated there was no documentation in the medical record demonstrating that the Patient #2's POA was notified of the actual discharge.