Complaint Investigation Report

Staff would not allow authorized representative to use hospice company of choice:

It was alleged that the residents are forced to sign up with certain Hospice and Palliative care in order to be enrolled in the facility. To investigate this allegation LPA conducted an interview with the Designee and LPA was informed that the facility has a list of four (4) to five (5) Hospice and Palliative care agencies that they work with. The facility provides choices of Hospice and Palliative care to the residents or Power of Attorney (POA) of the residents to choose. Furthermore, LPA was informed that if a resident or the POA chooses an Hospice and Palliative care of their own choice they are allowed to do so and there are no restrictions. At 1:30 PM, LPA contacted an Hospice Director of Nurses who confirmed that the facility provides at least three options to resident and their families for the services and the final agreement is always being signed by a family member of a resident or a resident themselves. Lastly, interview with one (1) out of three (3) residents who was able to communicate and a POA of a resident confirmed the information and did not have any concerns regarding the above allegation. Based on interviews, file reviews, and LPA's observation/inspection this allegation is deemed Unsubstantiated at this time.