mds after a facility evacuation

[Magaly63]

I have conflicting information about what happens to the MDS process in the following scenario. LTC facility evacuated r/t fire, residents are dispersed to 6 other LTC facilities in the area for approx a month. Directions from management company are that all residents remain residents of the evacuated facility, none are discharged either 6 or 7, and that MDS staff is to complete assessments based on new host facility's documentation, traveling to those facilities. Residents are NOT admitted into new facility but retain medical record # of old facility with old provider ID #. For financial purpose, old facility bills as residents never left and care is provided in building, then at a later date reimburses hosting facility at whichever rate is lower (CMI) theirs or host facility.

This was discussed with PA DOH by management, but now other DOH offices are calling and questioning the above.

Has anyone come across this before???

How long does this emergency period last? 1 week, 1 month? 3 months?

If the above is correct, how do we follow up with care plan meetings? MDS staff travels to host facility but not the team...

If the host facilities are providing care and we are following our OBRA schedule, what to do with possible Sig changes that we may not be aware of? hospitalizations and readmissions?

There were no injuries and staff did an exceptional job, but now the logistics are a nightmare!

Talino, I'm new here but I have been following this site for over a year and you seem to have all the answers, can you help?

Thanks:sstrs:

[Talino]

this is what the manual says..

when there has been a transfer of residents secondary to disasters (flood, earthquake, fire) with an anticipated return to the facility, the evacuating facility should contact their regional office, state agency, and fiscal intermediary for guidance.

when the originating facility determines that the resident will not return to the evacuating facility, the provider will discharge the resident. the receiving facility will then admit the resident and the mds cycle will begin as of the admission date. for questions related to this type of situation, providers should contact their state agency and their regional office.

mds 2.0 rai p1-17

[Magaly63]

Thank you for your reply. agencies were contacted and the directions above were given, but there is confusion within the agencies and they are giving conflicting directions. I guess we need to follow up higher up.