Every finding on record at Southern Hospice and Palliative Care Inc.

It is required that if the care of a hospice patient is transferred to a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility, the hospice forwards to the receiving facility a copy of the hospice discharge summary described in HCDT 40. I. This standard was not met as evidenced by clinical record review and interview. In 2 of 3 (67%) clinical records reviewed of patients transferred to a Medicare/Medicaid-certified facility, the agency did not ensure that a copy of the discharge summary was sent to the receiving facility. Clinical Record 9: The patient elected hospice care on 09/19/2022 and revoked their hospice benefit on 09/30/2022 to seek aggressive treatment at a Medicare-certified facility. A review of the clinical record revealed the discharge summary was completed. There was no documented evidence that the discharge summary was sent to the receiving facility. Clinical Record 10: The patient elected hospice care on 12/15/2022 and revoked their hospice benefit on 01/19/2023 to seek aggressive treatment at a Medicare-certified facility. A review of the clinical record revealed the discharge summary was completed. There was no documented evidence that the discharge summary was sent to the receiving facility. During an interview on 10/18/22, the Director of Nursing confirmed the discharge summaries were not sent to the receiving facility for continuity of care. No further information was provided prior to the conclusion of the site visit on 10/19/2023.