I am seeking advice from anyone trying to move a loved one out of a nursing home when his/her medical record is documented with complaints about you. This facility has been designated a Special Focus Facility (SFF) due to a long history of serious deficiencies, patterns of neglect, and abuse citations, including the federal “red hand” icon,
Over the past six weeks, my family member has been sent to the emergency department eight times and admitted to the hospital twice for issues directly related to inadequate care. These incidents include:*A catheter and feeding tube being pulled out during unsafe Hoyer transfers*Unexplained scratches and cuts on the neck and shoulder*A hospitalization for urinary tract infections*A hospitalization for sepsis
After the most recent hospital stay, my family member was returned to the facility and within 30 minutes of arriving was found on the hard floor sustaining a head injury and bruising on the side of the face. I feel powerless. I have repeatedly begged the hospital to hold my family member until I can secure a safer placement, but they continue to discharge my family member back to the same unsafe environment.
I have been a strong advocate for his/her care and have filed multiple legitimate complaints with the state agency—several of which resulted in citations. In apparent retaliation, the facility has been entering notes in the medical record about me, not about my family member. These retaliatory entries are now interfering with efforts to place the family member in another nursing home, as they misrepresent the situation and raise unnecessary barriers during the referral process.I am desperate to get my family member out of this facility before he/she suffers further harm. Does anyone have thoughts/ideas on how I can best move forward with possible nursing homes so that I can ensure safety and secure a transfer to a more appropriate nursing home?
Our OP does have a real question here, admins. I wonder if we could transfer her question to questions rather than discussions. Not really a discussion topic, I think.
Self reporting hoping you will transfer the question above so it receives more answers.
What is VERY clear is that your loved one is very very fragile and very very ill, and that your loved one has many needs. One of those needs may be for a skilled nursing facility. Given the restrictions against now ANYKIND of humane restraint, falls are happening with great frequency unless care is one-on-one. I doubt you could afford that. And no facility can provide it, either.
You say that they have "retaliated" against you by documenting in the chart. However, they SHOULD be documenting complaints. They can feel free to document quotes, requests, number of time you contact. Basically they can chart everything you DO though they cannot make their own "subjective opinion of your actions".
I will tell you as an RN that almost any facility that reads what they may be documenting WILL ABSOLUTELY decide whether they are capable of rendering care to your loved one that will meet your expectations.
Certainly you are free to see an attorney. And I think you would feel better with the advice of one.
I am so very sorry for what your loved one is going through. It sounds like a crucible for you BOTH. I am afraid that you are not alone, nor is your facility in being almost helpless in the enormity of needs. My heart goes out to you and I wish you absolutely the best, and peace for the one you love.