State Survey Results

[Miguel 4]

Good Day Ladies and Gents,

I thought that starting a new topic on State Survey Experiences from across the Nation would be good to get a clearer picture of the New Interpretive Guidelines and what states are not being reviewed under them.

 

I had my survey last week and was very impressed with their interest in Activities.

 

State Arrived on Tuesday, they asked to see my Resident Council Minutes and Activity Calendars for the past few months, nothing unusual.

 

Here is the unusual part though..

 

I was asked by a state surveyor how the activity department handles burn out and stress?

 

I was asked to see participation records for a lower functioning, blind resident involved in a group activity and was asked what other "Therapeutic" opportunities this resident has to maximize her quality of life, fortunately I have a separate Enrichment Sensory Program in which this resident is on where she is provided 4X weekly, we always include her in group Activities for Socialization which we are able to get a response from her as a team cheerleader or is always willing to count during activity programs.

 

Another interesting thing is the State Surveyor commented on the New Interpretive Guidelines and how important ACTIVITIES IS! WOOOOO HOOOOO, care plans were mentioned as being done and because I was prepared all my residents had an Activity Program Care plan.

 

Had 2 surveyors sit and observe a group activity for 2 hours.

 

Nothing but praise for Activities so needless to say I am proud of my department!

 

Any other experiences with survey??

 

-Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

[Guest Tinki]

Great job Miguel,

 

Nice to get a little recognition, especially from the state!!!

 

Karen

[Pennie 26]

Way to go!! Nice to hear from everyone on what the surveyors are doing when they come in. I noticed that you said you had a CP for EVERY resident. I get a lot of questions on this. AD's asking if every res. needs a CP written on them even if they have no concerns. I have been told "yes" every res. needs this done. If no concerns then you write one using their strengths. I get the arguement that this is not written any where. But better safe than sorry. Anyone else state survey, CP's being commented on when they are there?

CONGRATS Miguel!! Of course I know that you do nothing less that 150% for your res. & your job

[eahall00 0]

The state came to the facility I'm at a couple of weeks before I started so I can't tell you what they were like when they were here. I can, however, tell you the results. We received a deficiency because one resident stated that they were bored and had not been approached to attend an activity the entire time they had been here. This resident was on our rehab unit and had been discharged by the time I began working, so I couldn't even interview them. The surveyor addressed this with one of our Program Assistants who offered to take the resident to programming and offered the resident items from our independent and spiritual carts. They also noted that it was documented that the resident enjoyed watching TV and reading. The resident stated that they didn't like to watch TV and had glaucoma.

I just heard today that our plan of correction was accepted. I obviously have some work to do...

 

Edited to add... Survey took place in March 07.

Edited April 11, 2007 by eahall00

[trixiedg 0]

Our facility was surveyed under the new activity regs in January '07. We did not receive any deficiencies but were asked more questions than usual. I was also asked about how I handle burnout. They were also asking more questions regarding psychosocial wellbeing. A couple of the surveyors said they had surveyed a home and found some psychosocial issues but did not write up the home for this. The feds later came in and found that the issues should have been addressed by the survey team and in turn, the surveyors were written up for not citing the home. This was causing our survey team to be more thorough. I had only been the AD for a couple of months when they came in, so I'm pretty sure they gave me a break. After all was said and done we came out deficiency free. I am about to begin taking the MEPAP course and hope that I can learn more about knowing how to better meet my elders' needs. With all the new regs, it all seems so overwhelming. If anyone can give any advice on how they do things, it would be greatly appreciated.

[yrtype 0]

Good Day Ladies and Gents,

I thought that starting a new topic on State Survey Experiences from across the Nation would be good to get a clearer picture of the New Interpretive Guidelines and what states are not being reviewed under them.

 

I had my survey last week and was very impressed with their interest in Activities.

 

State Arrived on Tuesday, they asked to see my Resident Council Minutes and Activity Calendars for the past few months, nothing unusual.

 

Here is the unusual part though..

 

I was asked by a state surveyor how the activity department handles burn out and stress?

 

I was asked to see participation records for a lower functioning, blind resident involved in a group activity and was asked what other "Therapeutic" opportunities this resident has to maximize her quality of life, fortunately I have a separate Enrichment Sensory Program in which this resident is on where she is provided 4X weekly, we always include her in group Activities for Socialization which we are able to get a response from her as a team cheerleader or is always willing to count during activity programs.

 

Another interesting thing is the State Surveyor commented on the New Interpretive Guidelines and how important ACTIVITIES IS! WOOOOO HOOOOO, care plans were mentioned as being done and because I was prepared all my residents had an Activity Program Care plan.

 

Had 2 surveyors sit and observe a group activity for 2 hours.

 

Nothing but praise for Activities so needless to say I am proud of my department!

 

Any other experiences with survey??

 

-Miguel Sarasa, ADPC

[trixiedg 0]

We won't be in our survey window again until October and I hope I will be as prepared as some of you seem to have been. It does seem that there is a pattern with the burnout/stress questions. The surveyors have been having more training in recognizing the indicators of burnout. Their webcasts can be viewed at www.cms.internetstreaming.com. I watched the one on burnout for staff. They also asked for participation records for one of our younger elders. It's good to know that the state is finally seeing how important activities are to the total care of our elders. Question: What are you doing for your sensory enrichment program and what is a team cheerleader? Sounds interesting. I'm always looking for new ideas.

[quilterbcathy 0]

hi. We just had our survey here as well. We were all pretty nervous as all but one were new dept heads. I had care-planned everyone in the building, worked so hard over the last few weeks to get that done. I think they did give us some room as we were all new. In the resident council meeting a resident complained of something un-related to activities that evidently happened before I came, so I was asked for the past five months of minutes from the RC meetings. We were missing November but were not marked down for that, in fact there were no concerns brought up regarding activities. I don't know if our Eden program made a difference or not, but it seemed we were not scrutinized much in activities. That week I had scheduled some new things so it was quite a "swinging" place, but that certainly wasn't planned for state coming. Mostly just added to my being totally tired out at the end of the day and week... Our facility is small (45 beds) so I have been integrating the lower functioning right into the regular groups and calendaring them to include all (ie" Tabletop cooking/Sunshine sensory" - our people with sensory needs being included in the cooking group for touch, smell, companionship, taste, etc...it can get quite crowded!). It's the best I can do right now. My Asst is part time and disabled herself so I have to keep it simple. I almost wish state had looked a little more at us, not wishing for the scrutiny, mind you, but just because of how important we really are... I cannot imagine being so new that I had it so together that I would have escaped a more inquisitive bunch.... we came through with no deficiencies which is certainly fine with all of us! No questions about burn out, no checking my daily attendance. Maintenance was given a small ding for having a rubber foot missing from a small stool that was in a storage area... quite an odd ding to get...

PS Haven't written much lately, just had my nose to the grindstone trying to take it one day at a time. Finally settling in, things are going well. Though since survey last week I am not sleeping well. Like now. Alot going on, good, just alot.

Cathy

[Miguel 4]

Hi Trixie!

I use the enrichment sensory program written by Beth Hall and Michelle Nolta (http://www.rec-therapy.com/) Its an awesome program!

 

As for my team cheerleaders, when we have competition style programs our residents who are un-able to perform the activity are encouraged to cheer on the others, makes them feel a part of whats going on.

 

-Miguel

 

We won't be in our survey window again until October and I hope I will be as prepared as some of you seem to have been. It does seem that there is a pattern with the burnout/stress questions. The surveyors have been having more training in recognizing the indicators of burnout. Their webcasts can be viewed at www.cms.internetstreaming.com. I watched the one on burnout for staff. They also asked for participation records for one of our younger elders. It's good to know that the state is finally seeing how important activities are to the total care of our elders. Question: What are you doing for your sensory enrichment program and what is a team cheerleader? Sounds interesting. I'm always looking for new ideas.