Americare Hospice And Palliative Care

Based on interview, review of facility policy and procedure and review of facility documentation, the Department has determined the Administrator failed to ensure that policies and procedures were implemented to respond to patient complaints.  Failure to address patient complaints according to facility policies and procedures can result in patient and caregiver complaints and grievances not being addressed in a cohesive and reliable manner resulting in complaints and grievances not being resolved to the satisfaction of both the facility and the patient/caregivers. Findings include:

Based on review of facility policy and procedures, review of patient medical records and review of facility documentation, the Department has determined the Administrator failed to ensure that care plans were reviewed and updated.  Failure to ensure that patient care plans are regularly reviewed and updated to ensure that care plans remain a dynamic document that follows the patient's progress can result in a patient care plan being essentially useless to the patient's care, resulting in no overall roadmap for the patient's care, leading to potential adverse outcomes. Findings include:

Based on review of facility policy and procedure, review of patient medical records and review of facility documentation, the Department has determined the Administrator failed to ensure that patients were informed of the rates and charges for the components of hospice services prior to the components being initiated.  Failure to ensure patients are fully informed of the hospice rates and charges prior to hospice services being initiated can result in patients not fully understanding the charges for services they are agreeing to, leading to patient dissatisfaction with services provided. Findings include:

Based on review of facility policies, review of facility procedures, review of facility documents and review of patient medical records, the Department has determined the Administrator has failed to ensure that Registered Nurses have provided nursing services according to Hospice policies and procedures for 5 (five) out of 8 (eight) patients reviewed, Patients #1, 4, 5, 7 & 8.  Failure to provide nursing services according to Hospice policies and procedures can result in inconsistent care to patients, leading to patient injury, death and/or substandard care. Findings include:

Based on review of facility policies and procedures, review of patient medical records and review of facility documentation, the Department has determined the Administrator failed to ensure that a care plan was properly implemented for 6 (six) out of 8 (eight) patients reviewed, Patients #1, 4, 6, 7 & 8.  Failure to ensure care plans are implemented properly can result in care ordered by a physician not being received by the patient, leading to substandard care for the patient. Findings include: