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Monday, May 21, 2012

What a week!



I have to say that I'm glad last week is done!
Those of you who have been around for a while, have heard me talk about the annual inspection at the nursing home. Well, last week was that time again.
Every year the state comes and does an inspection at every nursing home in our state. It's never a fun week. There are usually 4 inspectors and they want to watch everything we do and ask lots of questions. They are never nice - tend to be very intimidating and can be accusatory so that doesn't help matters.
This year on top of the four regular inspectors, there was a federal inspector grading the state inspectors. Because of the federal inspector, the head state inspector was also there to defend their inspectors!
When they arrived, they told us that we would have extra citations because of the Federal inspector, which doesn't seem right, but there's no one to complain to.
I was lucky enough to get to take one of them around, and answer lots of questions. I found it frustrating to hear her ask what I thought were leading questions - "If you don't like the food, do they make you go hungry?" This was asked to someone with dementia, who answered no, but she really didn't understand the question.
I also had to do a med pass, with a state inspector and a federal inspector each writing things on their clipboard as they watched me give meds, inhalers, insulin and check blood sugars. (I passed!)
In the end, we did well. Many of our residents told them we are like a family and that they get good care, so that really helps. When they left the inspectors told us that if the Federal inspector hadn't been there we would have been cite free which is pretty incredible, and makes it even more frustrating to get the ones we got.
Now we'll need to put in our corrections in paper to the state and then they will come back to make sure we are clear.
I'm just glad to have it behind me!

19 comments:

Just Mom said...

My mother-in-law used to work in a nursing home and she really, really, really, really disliked inspection time. Their facility always passed, but yeah, the stress wasn't fun for her.

btw ... I'm glad last week is over too. Although this stay-at-home-mom enjoys sometimes subbing for the editor at the paper, she really, really, really, prefers her "day job." ;-)

Just Mom said...

Glad you passed inspection, by the way. Congratulations! :-)

Penny said...

Glad that stress is over and that it all went fairly well. =) Hopefully this week will be easy peasy!

Hootin Anni said...

Sounds a bit what Bud did...federal inspectors and such. Never fun for the inspector either. Always it seemed that no one was happy one way or another. At least this wasn't the April Fools Joke. And you passed. Well done.

Terri said...

glad it's done too!

Betsy Brock said...

Cite free if the other guy hadn't been there. Oh good grief. ha.
Glad that's over! Don't you just wonder why people have to be like that? They could be fun, honest and nice. Wouldn't be that hard and they could still do quality work.

Lisa Sall - Sall's Country Life said...

Oh my, sounds like you could use a day in the country (no inspectors out here my friend)! Glad you stopped by Sall's Country Life, thanks for the lovely comment! Have a cite-free summer!!

Unknown said...

That does sound nervewracking but at least it's over for another year. Be proud of yourself...you passed. Yea!!!

Sue O said...

I do music therapy sessions in some pretty nice (seems to me, anyway) care homes. I always feel bad for them when I see a notice on the door that they can't take in new residents until they have corrected certain issues. It always makes me wonder what was wrong.
Glad you survived and passed.

Kalli said...

good to hear all ended well. I will say that as somone that has had family in nursing homes I am glad that there are inspectors that do checks like this!

I have a random question.... I know that you love barns but do you know of anyone that would rent out their barn for a wedding or reception? it is for my cousin. She lives in Zeeland but would be willing to travel a little. I am just wondering. HEHE thanks!

Nancy said...

I realize that these cross-checks are necessary, but I'm sure they are very stressful for you and your co-workers.

Sharon said...

I am happy to hear you passed but also glad that it is over.
It is funny how when the big shots come you become so stressed to try and please them.
Way to go girl on passing.
Hugs

Brenda said...

Sheesh! An inspector for the inspector of the inspector!

Jenny said...

"I'm from the government and I'm here to help" ... scary words indeed. Props to you for a job well done, Mari. Your patients/residents are so lucky to have you.

Karin said...

Each time we have to go through an inspection or an accreditation I've thought that if we truly did an honest, thorough, white-glove if you will, self-inspection and duly fixed everything noted, we'd always pass with flying colors. To me that would be a whole lot less embarrassing then when an inspector points it out. Many times I've been so glad that the inspectors noted what some of us mentioned time and time again and then it FINALLY got done or changed or improved!

Sure a great feeling when we've passed everything and can relax! Congrats on a successful pass of the inspection!

LL Cool Joe said...

Sounds very stressful, I'm glad it went okay and it's over now!

Kim said...

Now you can breathe for 51 weeks until the next inspection. LOL

Jean said...

Oh Mari, I don't know how you deal with pressure like that! The only evals I ever got were when the school administrator would sit in my classroom for one period per year. And I always knew it ahead of time. So glad you did so well.

Raise Them Up said...

Glad it is over! I agree with Betsy.