HospitalInspections.org

Based on interview, and review of 10 open and one closed patient record, is revealed that 3 of 4, open records for patients #1, #7, and #11 eligible patients did not receive an Important Message notification.

Interview with the Patient Access Director on 11/13/14 at approximately 3:30 pm reveals in part that the Important Message (IM) is supposed to be given when patients are admitted through the emergency department or via direct admit to the unit. The Director revealed that Patient Access staff works with nursing on the behavioral health unit when needed to provide these notifications. Further, the Director indicated that if a patient is unable due to their illness to understand the information of the Important Message, a patient representative would be contacted.
Patient #1 is an above-65-year-old female admitted involuntarily to the behavioral health unit in late July 2014. No IM is noted in her record.
Patient #7 is a disabled middle-aged Medicare recipient who was admitted to the behavioral health unit in August 2014. No IM is found in the record.
Patient #11 is an above-65-year-old female who admitted to the behavioral health unit on 11/5/2014. No IM is noted in her record at the time of survey, eight days later.