Do the state inspectors ever show up on noc shift?

Specialties Geriatric

Published

I have seen state inspectors show up on day and eve shifts. Has anyone ever heard of the state showing up on noc shift to do an inspection? Thanks

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.

During survey we had a family member complain that his wife had fallen and we hadn't notified him in a "timely manner". She fell at one end of the hall...not a mark, not a bump, not a bruise. The other nurse and I were walking back to the nurses' station so we could call her husband when we heard "I need help here NOW!" from the other end of the hall. We raced down there to find a patient heading for respiratory arrest...while the other nurse ran to get the O2 I called rescue and of course stayed with the patient till the ambulance arrived. I got back to the nurses' station about 20 minutes later...the phone rang. It was the husband of the woman who had fallen. I told him about the fall, no injuries...blah blah. We got cited when the surveyors came in because the husband said we hadn't told him soon enough! I explained to the surveyors what had happened....they didn't care.

During survey we had a family member complain that his wife had fallen and we hadn't notified him in a "timely manner". She fell at one end of the hall...not a mark, not a bump, not a bruise. The other nurse and I were walking back to the nurses' station so we could call her husband when we heard "I need help here NOW!" from the other end of the hall. We raced down there to find a patient heading for respiratory arrest...while the other nurse ran to get the O2 I called rescue and of course stayed with the patient till the ambulance arrived. I got back to the nurses' station about 20 minutes later...the phone rang. It was the husband of the woman who had fallen. I told him about the fall, no injuries...blah blah. We got cited when the surveyors came in because the husband said we hadn't told him soon enough! I explained to the surveyors what had happened....they didn't care.

That is just crazy!! What do they expect??? The ABCs allways appy when prioritizing care! As far as the survey teams we have...one is a nurse, a social worker or dietician or NHA is normally included.

The State Survey Team & 1 Fed Surveyor walked in where I work today, and it was almost 11am. That is the latest I have ever seen them show up on the first day. I just had a feeling that today was the day! I am going on vacation in 2 weeks, so I am glad that they are there, and it will be over! The weird thing is that one of the state surveyors used to be a charge nurse at our facility.

:uhoh21: Wow! CapeCodMermaid your experience with the state was indeed shocking! That husband complaining that he hadn't been notified soon enough! Good grief. I am amazed that your facility got cited even after you explained the situation!

:chuckle robinmdsnurse it sounds like you must have had a fun day today with the state.

:o I guess there's a chance that the state will show up no matter what shift a nurse works even nocs. :crying2:

They exited today and did an exit meeting with the staff where I work. We have 27 violations! Yikes! Our DNS was fired last friday for not fulfilling the duties of his job. Whatever the state asked, I answered truthfully. I have nothing to fear from telling the truth.

We cause ourselves misery by covering up facility flaws...

They exited today and did an exit meeting with the staff where I work. We have 27 violations! Yikes! Our DNS was fired last friday for not fulfilling the duties of his job. Whatever the state asked, I answered truthfully. I have nothing to fear from telling the truth.

We cause ourselves misery by covering up facility flaws...

27 violations that is a bummer!!! when our facility changed hands a couple of years ago there were a lot of firings and we started getting visitors who had been "alerted" to certain violations once we had OSHA, state, federal and an ombudsman in the facility at one time==DON had walked out and the ADON was going slowly mad

Specializes in LPN.

Once we had them show up at 5:30. They weren't too interested in working yet. I offered them coffee, and they sat down and drank it. So I was able to finish med pass while they drank coffee. HAHA.

However, I am concerned with the way state follows workers around. It seems to me we have passed our state boards, and are liscensed by the state. Why then aren't we supervised by the facility. It seems the facility is what the state should be evaluating. When following a nurse, it then is the nurse, not the facility.

While I believe I do my work well, to have one or a team of people following me, looking for anything would make me nervous enough to do something I would not normally do.

I feel bad for the ones who get followed around, they hold the jobs of the entire facility in their nervous hands. It's not fair.

Does it seem right to you, or do we allow state to abuse us? If we are looking for abuse in the facility, shouldn't we start with the state inspectors themselves?

don't look on state inspecters as the "enemy" they serve a purpose...some facilities have been closed or come under closer watch for good reason...some facilities will become more lax not esp the nurses but the owners/adm will cut to the bone the money spent on residents..the amt of patient/nurse ratio would go up a creek...food would be inedible...i have worked in facilities where the housekeepers would not be allowed to have soap in mop water because it would strip the floors...and the laundry would only be allowed to a very small cup of detergent in a load of clothes so crammed full that the clothes came out uncleaned and smelly....if you don't have someone to whom these people are accountable you will have poor care for the ones who cannot speak for themselves

Specializes in Gerontology, Med surg, Home Health.
Once we had them show up at 5:30. They weren't too interested in working yet. I offered them coffee, and they sat down and drank it. So I was able to finish med pass while they drank coffee. HAHA.

However, I am concerned with the way state follows workers around. It seems to me we have passed our state boards, and are liscensed by the state. Why then aren't we supervised by the facility. It seems the facility is what the state should be evaluating. When following a nurse, it then is the nurse, not the facility.

While I believe I do my work well, to have one or a team of people following me, looking for anything would make me nervous enough to do something I would not normally do.

I feel bad for the ones who get followed around, they hold the jobs of the entire facility in their nervous hands. It's not fair.

Does it seem right to you, or do we allow state to abuse us? If we are looking for abuse in the facility, shouldn't we start with the state inspectors themselves?

AMEN to that. Last year my medical director told me she wanted me to go to the state house with her to protest the treatment we received from the state surveyors. I know they have a job to do, but these women were down right rude...no need for that at all. I told my medical director I'd love to go to the state house, but I would have to wear a disguise and never tell them where I worked or we get G tags from here till the next decade.

the state surveyors we had were found hiding/sneaking outside closed doors, bathrooms or anywhere out of view....which they admitted to in the exit interview.

they wanted to see how nsg. treated the pts. when alone w/them.

I work in a county jail and we are subject to the "state"inspections as well.it is always a lot of fun.it has been known to happen on any shift one night they came in at mn and stayed til 4 am,then returned the same day at 3 pm and didn't leave until 12 mn.it was unreal.of course it must have looked a little odd to the inspectors with all of these nurses running around (that were never staffed on that shift to begin with or that many on one shift-ever)with all these sets of keys to unlock doors,drawers and cabinets that had never been locked before.we were all whispering which key opens this,etc.the administrators worked 11-7 for 6 months(no kidding)to audit charts,paint,etc.then as soon as they left,it has all gone back to the same old stuff.not enough staff,no qa,no follow through on anything.but plenty of lip service to keep us quiet. :rolleyes: wouldn't it be easier to just maintain what they worked so long and hard to create,rather than have to do all of this again in a year or 2?

Specializes in ER, PACU.

When I worked LTC they came at 0500 and started questioning the staff as soon as they got there! Thank god I was off that night!! :)

+ Add a Comment