The State is coming!!

[quoteSo today I was told that the state would be at our facility on within the week. I have no doubt that we are going to fail the inspection. It will be thru no fault of the staff, the blame will rest entirely on the Administrator. He has made it clear (abundently clear!!) that he will cut the budget in anyway he can (to ensure he is always below cost therefore assuring his monthly bonus and believe me he has). There have been numerous times when we didn't have the supplies we needed to do dressings, no snacks for residents, no grippy socks to prevent falls, broken alarms not replaced, no bedding or washclothes, clothes taking 4 & 5 days to come up from laundry (he cut staff hours there) the list goes on.

If these things are in fact true, (and I am NOT saying that they are not), then you should report that items are NOT available for the Residents to the State Omsbudman for your facillity. Having broken alarms falls in the realm of patient safety along with grippy slipper socks. Not having supplies to do dressing changes as per Physician orders? Have you notified the Physician that you are unable to do said dressing changes due to the fact that dressing change supplies are NOT being ordered? As far as not having snacks, that means FOOD is NOT available for the Residents. Not having enough clean bedding, and linen means that adequate personal care is questionable. If you can not reach the Omsbudman, then a call to the State Surverors is in order. You also can call your Medical Director. But what you can not do is not take any action if as I said these things are true.

I think it might be because a few of us have complained that the state is coming in. We're all praying it is. We have a great team, we all have discussed the situation, a few Nurses offered to be the ones to make the complaint to save the rest of us from reprocussions (they were leaving anyways). I'm just worried.

One can remain anonymous when making a complaint-you do not have to give the state your name.If you are afraid of repercussions tell them so.

How sad, but a true reality. When I worked in one LTC/SNF, I had to call the State. It was not right what was going on. As I was reading your post, I thought and I still do, think that you were writing about the same facility as I worked in.

Call them, remain anonymous, as the previous posters stated. If things/supplies/needs are not being meat, then they, the Admins are depriving those residents of a decent quality of life, in short neglect.

good luck. I'll be praying for you and the staff as you proceed through survey.

Definately stay anonamous, but do call the state or get the media involved.

I agree with the above replies. I can't offer any better suggestions, but had to tell you how much I admire your emotional caring for your patients. You're a credit to nursing. Care to some is just going through the motions.

So today I was told that the state would be at our facility on within the week. I have no doubt that we are going to fail the inspection. It will be thru no fault of the staff, the blame will rest entirely on the Administrator. He has made it clear (abundently clear!!) that he will cut the budget in anyway he can (to ensure he is always below cost therefore assuring his monthly bonus and believe me he has). There have been numerous times when we didn't have the supplies we needed to do dressings, no snacks for residents, no grippy socks to prevent falls, broken alarms not replaced, no bedding or washclothes, clothes taking 4 & 5 days to come up from laundry (he cut staff hours there) the list goes on. Of course when we fail the inspection, the blame will be seen as Nursings fault by family & the town. The Nurses and CNAs have spent thier own money to ensure that most of the basics are provided to the residents. Is there a way to let the inspectors know that we are frustrated with this policy (and have demanded change with no result) without losing our jobs? I love the residents, the facility is convenient to home, it is small (only 100 beds), and the core staff is great. I am worried that they will consider closing the place, what does it take to shut it down, we follow company policy, and really try to do the best for our residents. I would leave, but so many people left (in anger over his policies) that the majority of staff is all new and the residents are not happy with the changes so those of us who are staying are thier lifeline. Any Advice??[/quote

No advice needed, just show them what they ask to see. Answer all questions factually, do not elaborate. Believe me, these people WILL extrapolate on thier own! If there is no written policy for shortages or shortcuts, you have no framework to change or immeliorate your situation; that is why you feel YOU will be blamed. Do NOt spend your own money to supplement shortages in the facility; it could come back to haunt you. Document every time you have a shortage of supplies/staff; and submit it to the state.This is your duty as a nurse. The state will take it from there. Any deficits will NOT reflect on YOU, the owner of the facility is liable for ALL conditions outside of any deemed nursing negligence. But if you cover up lack of stafff, supplies, etc, without proof of complaint, you could be seen as negligent in not performing due diligence for your patients.