HospitalInspections.org

Based on policy, medical record review and interview, the hospital failed to ensure appropriate communication with the family regarding freedom to choose and finalization in the discharge plan for 1 of 3 (Patient #3) sampled patients.

The findings included:

1. Review of the hospital policy Discharge and Aftercare Planning revealed, "Each Patient discharged, voluntary or involuntary...will be provided a discharge and aftercare plan...The case manager will coordinate discharge dates and aftercare appointments with the physican, patient, patient's family, and any other support system..."

2. Medical record review for Patient #3 revealed an 86 year old male admitted to the psychiatric hospital on 12/10/2020 for suicidal ideations, refusing foods, fluids and medications and alcohol use disorder. On 12/15/2020 Patient #3 tested positive for COVID-19. Patient #3 was discharged to another facility that cared for COVID-19 patients on 12/18/2020 at 9:30 AM. The hospital staff failed to involve the patient's family in choosing the facility and failed to notify the patient's family of the discharge.

3. In an interview on 9/8/2021 at 10:59 AM the Director of Nursing (DON) stated the hospital protocols in December 2020 were to send any COVID-19 positive patients to a cohort facility equipped to care for COVID-19 patients, and after patients improved and were COVID-19 negative, they would be referred to the hospital for psychiatric treatment, if needed. The DON verified the hospital social worker (SW) did not document notification to Patient #3's family of the facility he was being discharged to on 12/18/2020. The SW was no longer employed at the psychiatric hospital and was not available for interview.