Michigan Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) Practice Exam

Under what conditions can a nursing home involuntarily transfer or discharge a patient?

1. For administrative reasons

2. For nonpayment only

3. For medical or welfare reasons

4. For family request

The correct answer is: For medical or welfare reasons

A nursing home may involuntarily transfer or discharge a patient primarily for medical or welfare reasons. This typically includes circumstances where the health needs of the patient exceed the capability of the facility to provide appropriate care. For instance, if a patient requires a level of care or specialized treatment that the nursing home is unable to provide, it may become necessary to transfer them to a different facility better suited to meet those needs. Additionally, the patient's continued presence in the facility may pose a danger to their own health or that of other residents, further justifying a discharge based on medical or welfare considerations. When we look at the other options, they either reflect insufficient grounds for involuntary actions or do not align with the regulations governing nursing homes. Administrative reasons alone do not fulfill grounds for involuntary discharge, as these should ideally be based on the care needs of the resident. Nonpayment is also a limited circumstance and typically cannot be the sole reason for discharge without following legal processes, particularly given patient rights. Family requests do not serve as a valid reason unless they align directly with the patient's best interests and welfare, reinforcing that the paramount concern remains the patient's care and safety.