New don needs help former don mia!!!

[nette1022]

Hello Everyone,

I am a new DON in a 50 bed facility. The former DON was supposed to orient me but she has gone MIA, and hasn't been there any days since I started. What am I supposed to be doing? I don't have any dates of anything so I have begun compiling a list can you guys let me know what I should know about these things on the list?

Chart Audits-who? Is there a tool that is used. Are their guidelines when it needs to be done?

Dietary consultations (Weekly & monthly weights)

Fall/risk management program

Medicare management program

Infection Control

Pharmacy consults - gradual dosage reductions

Admission order reviews

daily order change reviews

change of condition/daily report reviews

MDS systems

employee hiring

employee evaluations

employee inservicing/compentencies

Pressure ulcers

Restraints - if you have any

PPD's, Flu and Pneumo vaccines

wheelchairs, IV and enteral pump and POLES cleanliness

I have been reviewing 24hour reports and incident reports daily so I can be aware of what's going on.

Thank-you all soooo much.

[NutmeggeRN, BSN]

Try to get with the department heads

Your HR re hiring policies

Your pharmacist re dose reductions and what the policy is

Your nurses can be an invaluable tool re the audits, MDS

Your Medical Director re treatment and expected care

Your BON for practice rules re restraints

Your facilities people re the cleaning

Your Dietitian re weights and consults

A lot of this in place, just break it down by department and go to those in the know. Hopefully your administrator can be of some help?

Good Luck!