The information below comes from the statement of deficiencies compiled by health inspectors and provided to AHCJ by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. It does not include the steps the hospital plans to take to fix the problem, known as a plan of correction. For that information, you should contact the hospital, your state health department or CMS. Accessing the document may require you to file a Freedom of Information Request. Information on doing so is available here.

MILTON S HERSHEY MEDICAL CENTER 500 UNIVERSITY DRIVE HERSHEY, PA 17033 March 28, 2018
VIOLATION: PATIENT RIGHTS: NOTICE OF RIGHTS Tag No: A0117
**NOTE- TERMS IN BRACKETS HAVE BEEN EDITED TO PROTECT CONFIDENTIALITY**


Based on a review of facility documents, medical records (MR) and staff interview (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to comply with Federal Regulations.

The facility was found to be non-compliant with the following Federal Regulation:

482.13 (a)(1) Patient Rights: Notice of Rights. A hospital must inform each patient, or when appropriate, the patient's representative (as allowed under State law), of the patient's rights, in advance of furnishing or discontinuing patient care whenever possible.

This is not met as evidenced by:

Based on a review of facility documentation, medical records (MR) and staff interview (EMP), it was determined that the facility failed to provide the patient or the patient's representative a copy of the Important Message from Medicare no more than 2 days prior to discharge for two of five Medicare records reviewed (MR2 and MR4).

Findings include:

A review of facility policy "Important Message from Medicare" last reviewed March 2017, revealed, "...The second IMM is presented to the patient or representative by Utilization Management staff or Care Coordinator staff at least two days following admission but no more than two days prior to discharge. ..."

A review of MR2 on March 28, 2018, revealed the patient was admitted on [DATE], and discharged on [DATE]. A copy of the admission IMM was noted on MR2. There was no discharge IMM noted on MR2.

A review of MR4 on March 28, 2018, revealed the patient was admitted on [DATE], and discharged on [DATE]. A copy of the admission IMM was noted on MR4. The discharge IMM on MR4 was dated as February 21, 2018, five days prior to discharge.

An interview with EMP4 on March 28, 2018, at 9:45 AM confirmed the discharge IMM's were not given or not given timely.