Surviving a state inspection survey

dogwalker · Aug 23, 2005

:smackingf
OH MY GOD!!!! Just had to respond to this!!! I CANNOT believe that a state surveyor got away with that....that was totally out of line. You're right, they can't wait to catch you screwing up, but NEVER tell you you did a good job. I hate this survey stuff!!! They really should find better things to do.

Yes, that is absolutely out of line and should have been reported to the surveyors supervisor.

CapeCodMermaid, RN · Aug 23, 2005

I am sorry you have had bad experiences...I looked and looked, but I could not find a regulation that stated that you had to dot ALL your I's and cross ALL your T's. (Please don't take offense, just trying to be funny, here, and lighten things up a little) My husband is a therapist, maybe I should ask him if I have this disorder? I hope future experiences are better for you.

:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: No offense taken! Gotta be able to laugh at ourselves. I just wish I could find something funny about survey.

BowlerRN · Aug 24, 2005

I sometimes think state surveyors go to bed at night dreaming of new ways to terrorize LTC facilities. It makes me wonder.. have they ever worked the floor of a LTC facility??..To see what we nurses go through to give the utmost in good care to our residents??? A state surveyor once told me, they HAVE to find SOMETHING on each survey or else THEIR bosses the "FEDS" will come after THEM!!

I work in a LTC facility where 3 years ago we had a deficiency free survey!!! And th FEDS did not come through our facility, cause I would definitely remembered that, It's bad enough to go through the state survey. it seems that ever since then they have been really trying to nail us with lots of things.

aandersonrn · Aug 28, 2005

Our window just opened. The Feds came last year and they made State very nervous. These are surveyors that I have dealt with for 5 years and have called them for advice while not in a survey process. They were very snappy (actually unlike them)

suebird3 · Aug 28, 2005

Hi all....
Does anybody else crinch at the thought of an upcoming state inspection? It seems that is all I think about lately.
I recently have been promoted to MDS Coordinator in my facility and am feeling that they are going to attack my MDS's and care plans.
I am trying my best, and I know they WILL find something, but does anybody else dwell on this??
Anybody have any suggestions on how to survive a state survey without having a nervous breakdown?

MDSlady....we just go hit a week or so ago. To quote my old boss.....be yourself! And don't panic! I swear the folks that come through our place can sense the worry. Of course, one inspector has been in 4 out of the 6 years I have been here, soooo....

dogwalker · Aug 28, 2005

:smackingf
OH MY GOD!!!! Just had to respond to this!!! I CANNOT believe that a state surveyor got away with that....that was totally out of line. You're right, they can't wait to catch you screwing up, but NEVER tell you you did a good job. I hate this survey stuff!!! They really should find better things to do.

The more I think of this post, the more it bothers me. I actually find it hard to believe that it (scratch and sniff) really happened. Sorry, but I don't believe everything I read-especially on the web. If it truly did happen, the parties have an obligation to report the incident. It qualifies as abuse on many levels. Dogwalker

Nascar nurse, ASN, RN · Aug 28, 2005

Don't blame you for doubting - I doubt many things here too. But, on this one I was there. This whole thing came about b/c a family approached the surveyor stating she wanted moms room changed (had NEVER brought this up to us). Daughter said Mom's room mate was "stinky". That is when surveyor told ADON to sniff. (Resident outcome - room mates changed promptly even tho even surveyor didn't agree the roommate was stinky). It may have even been just for her to ask a staff member to "sniff" in this instance - but it was the way the surveyor went about it and then explained why later that was really nasty. Not my place in my facility to turn a surveyor in and not sure I would even if it was - talk about asking for major trouble next year!!

Bird2 · Aug 28, 2005

Don't blame you for doubting - I doubt many things here too. But, on this one I was there. This whole thing came about b/c a family approached the surveyor stating she wanted moms room changed (had NEVER brought this up to us). Daughter said Mom's room mate was "stinky". That is when surveyor told ADON to sniff. (Resident outcome - room mates changed promptly even tho even surveyor didn't agree the roommate was stinky). It may have even been just for her to ask a staff member to "sniff" in this instance - but it was the way the surveyor went about it and then explained why later that was really nasty. Not my place in my facility to turn a surveyor in and not sure I would even if it was - talk about asking for major trouble next year!!

I would also worry about reporting a Surveyor. We usually have the same ones come in year to year and I would not want to start a war. It may not be right but they can cost facilities a lot of money and loss of reputation.

slinkeecat · Aug 28, 2005

Save vacation time and take it when surveyors are coming.... I have been lucky 3 years in a row....heh hee!!!!

I think surveyors are important... Makes the facility do the right thing for 3 months out of the year....

debRN0417 · Aug 28, 2005

Save vacation time and take it when surveyors are coming.... I have been lucky 3 years in a row....heh hee!!!!
:rotfl: :rotfl: :rotfl: :beer:

fluffwad · Aug 28, 2005

She asked the ADON to sniff a crotch area and tell her about the odor. ADON, (with no other choice), leaned down, sniffed and smelled nothing - but in fear of the surveyor stated she smelled a faint odor. The surveyor smiled and said, "Really, I didn't smell anything at all" - smiled and walked away. Seems absolutely ridiculous to me. I'm sure there are some really bad LTC facilities out there, but seems surveyors make a game out of the whole thing,.

In my state the Board started cracking down on abusive surveyors ( and gave the facilities an email to report it). I'd consider reporting this behavior to the State.

dogwalker · Aug 28, 2005

Don't blame you for doubting - I doubt many things here too. But, on this one I was there. This whole thing came about b/c a family approached the surveyor stating she wanted moms room changed (had NEVER brought this up to us). Daughter said Mom's room mate was "stinky". That is when surveyor told ADON to sniff. (Resident outcome - room mates changed promptly even tho even surveyor didn't agree the roommate was stinky). It may have even been just for her to ask a staff member to "sniff" in this instance - but it was the way the surveyor went about it and then explained why later that was really nasty. Not my place in my facility to turn a surveyor in and not sure I would even if it was - talk about asking for major trouble next year!!

Your place in the facility is to report abuse if you witness it.