DOH showed today while I was out playing.

[tokmom]

I just knew they were going to show up on a Tuesday, which is my Monday.

Well today, When I was at a water/amusement park, riding in circles on a merry go round, my friend, the other FT CN, scurried off to the bathroom to text me that 'they' showed up:lol2:. Poor thing was taken in a room for 2 hrs today and grilled. I feel for her, because she does discharges and that can really put you behind.

She said tomorrow is my turn, but I'm thinking if they grilled one CN, why would they want to talk to me?:chair:

Wish me luck tomorrow. I wish I could go hide in a room!

[Altra, BSN, RN]

Dumb question, but, what is a DoH??

Your state's department of health. Forget JCAHO ... health care facilities stay open for business only if the DOH says they can.

[CrimsonAlchemist]

Maybe I'm missing something too, but what did you do wrong?? 0.o

[teeniebert, LPN]

sorry, double post

[teeniebert, LPN]

Maybe I'm missing something too, but what did you do wrong?? 0.o

I don't think the OP said she did anything wrong, but a visit from State surveyors/DoH folks usually feels like a game of "Gotcha!" Sometimes they'll follow you and watch while taking notes; sometimes they'll ask you, "why did you do that?" about something you think is insignificant; sometimes they'll ask a policy question that may or may not be relevant to your current activity. It makes everyone nervous.

[Nurse2b7337]

Kinda reminds me of State coming in our building when I worked in SNF. Pins and needles for three days

[xtxrn, ASN, RN]

Maybe I'm missing something too, but what did you do wrong?? 0.o

And in LTC, they show up for annual surveys, that are within a 'window' of time...so you know the 3 month (or so) window they're likely to show up, but not exactly- so admin is always stressed until it's over and done with. You can get friendly DOH people, or those who taught the Marquis d' Saad (?spelling) all he knew !! At any rate, it's not pleasant :)

Oh, and most LTCs are not JCAHO certified- ya gotta pay for JCAHO, and most LTC companies (though this is changing) do not want to do that- plus it's just someone else to drive you batty.

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

Well.....I was unable to avoid them. In fact, I was purposefully put on the hotseat and stayed there for 3 hrs.

The surveyor was not exactly warm and fuzzy, but was ok to deal with. I did get her to smile once.

We went through six different charts. Some of them had to be from pt's over 65 yrs of age, and others were random. Thankfully, the charts were in pretty good shape and the computer charting was in order.

It was a learning experience. I have always avoided their visit until now. My manager gave me a red rose and two gift cards for putting up with the interrogation.

Oh, and no I wasn't in trouble. Dept of Health (DOH) surveys hospitals every year and looks for things that are wrong.

They only found little things:

No saline flushes allowed in pockets, even though they are wrapped. Pockets are dirty and saline is medication.

One nurse didn't tie the isolation gown twice. She only did the top tie. Big no no...

A chart had an incomplete care plan.

They noticed that the RN's didn't have complete communication with the CNA's. (found this insightful)

Our pt locator board has the assigments, but it didn't say RN behind the staff names.

[roser13, ASN, RN]

Congrats on surviving (and even learning something!). Now go buy yourself something nice with your gift cards!

[Merlyn]

See, there was no blood. No Spanish Boot, no rack....Pity.

[whichone'spink, BSN, RN]

Not even the comfy chair?

[Merlyn]

Not even the comfy chair?

No!, No! Not The Comfy Chair! Oh! The Humanity!

[tokmom, BSN, RN]

See, there was no blood. No Spanish Boot, no rack....Pity.

Well, she did munch on M&M's while watching me go through computer charts. Since I didn't go to lunch and I had to watch her eat those chocolately nibbles, I did consider that torture.