complaint·November 2, 2021

INVESTIGATION REVEALED THE FOLLOWING: Allegation: "Facility refusing to accept resident back from hospital" The alleged victim, Resident (R1), was admitted at Huntington Retirement Hotel on 5/7/2018. R1 was confined to Torrance Memorial hospital due to a fall on 9/3/2021. R1 was transferred to Lomita Post-Acute Care Center (LPACC) for rehabilitation on 9/9/2021. R1 was medically assessed at the center and was released back to Huntington Retirement Hotel on 10/29/2021 with a hi-lo bed and a roll-about chair. Based on R1's physician's report, he has a dementia. It was alleged the facility was refusing to accept the resident (R1) back from the hospital. The complainant reported she spoke with two staff (S1 & S2) who stated Resident (R1) cannot return to the facility without a hi-lo bed and a Gerichair. The department interviewed residents (R1-R9), staff (S1-S9), and two witnesses (W1 & W2). Interview with the administrator (S1) and staff (S2) revealed the Case Manager (W1) together with Physical Therapists at LPACC recommended that resident (R1) uses a hi-lo bed and a roll-about chair (same as Gerichair) for his safety. R1's family member (W2) disclosed to LPA that based on his contact with R1's doctor, R1 needs a hi-lo bed and a Gerichair for his safety. S2 reported W1 informed S2 later that hi-lo bed and Gerichair are not covered by R1's insurance/medicare and therefore, it cannot be ordered. However, W2 reported based on his inquiry from R1's insurance company, hi-lo bed and Gerichair are fully covered. S2 confirmed during an interview that based on her conversation with W1 and W2 as well as her assessment to R1's medical condition, R1 needs a hi-lo bed and a Gerichair for his safety, therefore, S1 and S2 advised W1 to ensure R1 is provided with those two equipments upon his return to the facility. Based on LPA's separate interviews with W1, W2, S1 and S2, a hi-lo bed and a roll-about chair were approved by R1's insurance/medicare and were fully covered. The two equipments were delivered to the facility on the same day R1 returned to the facility, The residents (R2-R9), staff (S1-S9) and W1 denied the allegation that facility refused to accept R1 back from the hospital. R1 was unable to provide feedback during the interview due to his medical condition. Based on interviews and observations, there is no sufficient evidence to support the allegation mentioned above. Based on information gathered, LPA did not find sufficient evidence to support the allegation, "Facility refusing to accept resident back from hospital" . This is evidenced by the department's observations, interviews and record review. Although the allegations may have happened or are valid, there is not a preponderance of evidence to prove the alleged violations, did or did not occur, therefore the allegation is Unsubstantiated . No deficiencies cited during this visit. An exit interview was conducted with Administrator Heather Argueta and Corina Delgado and a copy of the report was provided to Heather Argueta.