HospitalInspections.org

Intakes: TN00029952


Based on facility policy, medical record review and interview, it was determined the facility failed to include in the discharge plan a list of Home Health Agencies (HHA's) that were available to 1 of 3 (Patient #3) discharge patients reviewed.

The findings included:

Review of the facility's policy for Discharge Planning documented, "PROCEDURE ...7. When the discharge planning evaluation indicates a need for home health care, the hospital will include in the discharge plan a list of participating Medicare home health agencies that are available and serve the patient's geographic area. 9. The discharge planner/social worker will document in the patient's medical record that the list of home health agencies or skilled nursing facilities was presented to the patient or individual acting on the patient's behalf. 11. All documentation regarding discharge planning will be in the patient's medical record."

Medical record review for Patient #3 documented an admission of 5/23/12 for abdominal pain, nausea and vomiting. On 5/31/12 the patient underwent surgery and a colostomy was placed. Review of the Social Worker notes dated 5/24/12 at 1:09 PM documented the patient was alert and lived alone and planned to return home upon discharge. The next Social Worker Note was dated 6/6/12 at 10:55 AM and documented, "SW [Social Worker] faxed clinical information to [name of home health agency] for wound care SW notified pt and pt's daughter of the agency that will care for pt wounds." There was no documentation that a list of HHA's had been provided to the patient or family.

In an interview on 1/3/13 at 10:05 AM via phone, the SW stated, "We go to the family, if had home health before ask if satisfied with them and do they want them again. If no Home Health previously, give them a list of 3 names that would be compatible with their insurance and let them choose. We do not document this."