The State is at my Facility doing an annual review

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.

I've been through state surveys as a CNA and Activities Director at a nursing home. I'm a new nurse. 53 days at my job and I really don't know all the policies and procedures. I feel Like I can handle a med pass check because I remember all that I was taught in school. Does anyone have any advice about your experiences with the state survey team as a nurse.

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Just remember to think before you do anything. If you are doing a med pass with them remember all the little things, knock on door, check armband(even on patient you have known for years), provide privacy, wash hands, clean stethascope, lock your cart, etc. I don't know about you but I have been a nurse for 16 years and I STILL get very nervous during state inspections. I really hate it. Try to stay calm. Better yet, hide.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
Just remember to think before you do anything. If you are doing a med pass with them remember all the little things, knock on door, check armband(even on patient you have known for years), provide privacy, wash hands, clean stethascope, lock your cart, etc. I don't know about you but I have been a nurse for 16 years and I STILL get very nervous during state inspections. I really hate it. Try to stay calm. Better yet, hide.

Thanks for responding. They did not bother me at all with questions or with a med pass. I work 3-11pm. I almost had to do a dressing change but the manager had scheduled me on the wrong unit so the regular scheduled nurse had to do it in front of the state lady and she forgot to pull the curtain so that the patients roommate could not see the procedure. Thank God because I probably would have forgotten something too.

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Specializes in geriatrics.

This brings me to a question related to this topic. Our facility does not use arm bands. There is one picture in the med book of each resident and their name is on the door. If a state surveyer were following me.. should I do anything other than make note of the picture.. and if able, ask the resident their name? Often times though, we have residents who cant tell us their name and those who dont know their name and may tell you something rediculous?

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Specializes in MS, LTC, Post Op.

Well wish I had some advice for you, but alas, I have always been off when State has been in, I fear I won't be so lucky this time around. Our window is open now and we look for them to be in sometime in the next month.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am facing the same issue. I have been an LPN since June, 2006. I hear that the state will be coming next year and this is a different ballgame for me compared to being an aide. I always knew the answers as an aide, because the work and responsibility was lighter. And, also, I was never approached, because I didn't go out of my way to hide. Most of the time, they seemed to go after the skittish one that was slidng around corners. But, now, I would be nervous.

We really didn't get a great orientation, and I have been looking at policy and procedures on my own time...but need interpetations. Good luck. I hope the same for myself...I don't want to be bothered with them at all.

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Specializes in Psych, LTC, Acute Care.
I am facing the same issue. I have been an LPN since June, 2006. I hear that the state will be coming next year and this is a different ballgame for me compared to being an aide. I always knew the answers as an aide, because the work and responsibility was lighter. And, also, I was never approached, because I didn't go out of my way to hide. Most of the time, they seemed to go after the skittish one that was slidng around corners. But, now, I would be nervous.

We really didn't get a great orientation, and I have been looking at policy and procedures on my own time...but need interpetations. Good luck. I hope the same for myself...I don't want to be bothered with them at all.

They came and gave us 6 deficiencies. I'm glad they are gone. They didn't bother me at all.

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