HospitalInspections.org

Based on a review of facility policy, documents, medical records (MR), and interview with staff (EMP), it was determined the facility failed to follow their own policy in notifying involved parties, including family of the discharge time for one of one medical record reviewed (MR1).

Findings include:

A review on August 1, 2018, of facility policy "Discharge Evaluation" last revised March 2015 revealed "... . L All discharges require a physician's order, and all involved parties including family, accepting facility or service providers should be notified of the discharge date and time."

A review on August 1, 2018, of facility document "Lifecare Hospital Patient Compalint/Grievance Log" dated December 2017 revealed : "Patient's [MR1] daughter complained that she was not notified when patient was transferred to STACH-[short term acute care hospital]." In addition, the Complaint/Grievance Resolution log revealed "Staff apologized that she should have been notified. Daughter appeared satisfied."

An interview conducted on August 1, 2018, at 12:00 PM with EMP3 confirmed that the family/ responsible person of MR1 was not contacted and given the exact time that MR1 was transferred. EMP3 stated "The daughter had every right to be upset, I would be upset too, if no one contacted me to let me know the time my family member was leaving."

An interview conducted on August 1, 2018 at 12:20 PM with EMP4 confirmed that the patient's family had not been contacted as to the exact time the patient was to be transferred. EMP4 stated "the ball got dropped, I guess no one made the call."