Complaint Investigation Report

The hospice notes revealed that on 03/01/2024, the hospice agency arrived at the facility to discuss comfort medications with staff and the responsible party. On 03/02/2024, the responsible party requested that the hospice agency begin comfort medications for R1, which included Morphine. On 03/03/2024, it was reported that the responsible party acknowledged that R1 looked comfortable after Morphine had been administered.

Interviews with hospice employees revealed that when an individual is admitted into hospice, they are aware that comfort medications include Morphine. Staff also explained that when an individual is placed on hospice services, the company will order the comfort medication in advance for the client so they will not have to wait for the medication when they begin to decline in health.

This agency has investigated the complaint allegation, Licensee did not communicate with resident's representative of change in medication. The Department has found that although the allegation may have happened or is valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations occurred. Therefore, the above allegations are found to be UNSUBSTANTIATED. An exit interview was conducted, and the report was along with licensee appeal rights (LIC 9058 03/22) were reviewed with Administrator Marko Kolomijcev.