HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview and documentation request, the hospital failed to have a process to inform patients or their representatives for 2 of 2 sampled patients (# 5 and 6) that they could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the hospital stay. This failed practice could result in the patient being discharged without all of the services being provided for continued health improvement. The findings are:

A. On 08/09/12 at 10:30 am, during an interview, the Director of Survey Readiness and the Director of Clinical Outcomes both confirmed that there are no policies and procedures to inform the patient or their representatives that they could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the hospital stay. They further confirmed there was no written statement to the patient or their representative that they could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the hospital stay.

B. On 08/10/12 at 9:30 am, during an interview, Patient #5 was asked if she was given any documentation or verbal direction that she could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the hospital stay. She stated that she does not remember seeing any documentation for this and was not given any verbal direction that this was available.

C. On 08/10/12 at 9:45 am, during an interview, Patient #6 was asked if he was given any documentation or verbal direction that he could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the hospital stay. He stated that he does not remember seeing any documentation for this and was not given any verbal direction that this was available.

Based on interview and documentation request, the hospital failed to have a process to inform physicians that they could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the patient's hospital stay. This failed practice could result in the patient being discharged without all of the services provided for continued health improvement. The findings are:

A. On 08/10/12 at 10:30 am, during an interview, the Director of Survey Readiness and the Director of Clinical Outcomes both confirmed that there are no policies and procedures to inform the physicians that they could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the patient's hospital stay. They further confirmed there was no documentation that the medical staff were educated that they could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the hospital stay.

B. On 08/10/12 at 10:00 am, during an interview, Physician #3 was asked if he knew of any hospital policies or procedures that stated that the patient's physician could request a discharge planning evaluation anytime during the patient's hospital stay. He stated that he does not know of any hospital policies or procedures that tell the physicians how they should do this.