Nursing Home State Survey

[interceptinglight]

The most recent CNA meeting I attended at work dealt with the subject of our upcoming State Survey Inspection. I'm new to this LTC facility so I don't have a clue what to expect. This happens once a year, these guys show up unannounced and follow everyone around with clipboards taking notes. They may stop an employee and ask them if they know what procedures to follow for emergencies, etc. Have any of you been through such a State Survey thingie ?? I'm told that if you make a mistake, for instance if you fail to wash your hands after caring for one resident before touching another one you will be tagged and the facility cited for it, also your name will appear in the official report. Last state inspection none of the CNA's were tagged, but one of our nurses didn't wash her hands after caring for a resident and she went down in infamy in the published report. What should I expect, and how long do these guys hang around? Thanks for any input.

[adrianmonk]

ok i have a question. i'm not sure about something

is it ok to put diapers in the residents garbage pail & remove after we're done with care. or

after we've finished care take the diaper put it in our cart?

[Dorali, BSN, LPN, RN]

I'm not totally sure what you mean, but when you change someone you take the trash out because it leaves a urine odor in the room and state can tag for that.

[yousoldtheworld]

That might be different by state...in my course, we were told never to put briefs in the resident's trash can, instead, have a trash bag or cart with you.

And never ever EVER call them diapers.

[adrianmonk]

oh ok thanks Since we can't bring carts into the residents rooms i figured it would be an issue if i was opening/closing the door with my gloves on(contaminating the handle) just to dump towels or dirty clothes