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Sunday, May 31, 2015

It's that time of year...

Some of you may remember that I posted this picture, after some people at work posted it as an April Fools joke.  Each Nursing Home in Michigan get's a visit from the state survey team yearly and it's something we all dread!
We have a window of about 5 months time that they can show up, but other than that we really don't know when they are coming.  They usually spend 4 days in our facility, and while they are there they follow us around, ask numerous questions, look through charts, check about everything in the facility, watch treatments, med pass, care being given, food being served...   It's a nerve wracking week, and many of the inspectors can be quite intimidating.  I know it's something that needs to be done, but I often question their methods and some of the crazy things they write places up for.
This past week they showed up at our facility.  I have to say, that in the 25 years I've worked here, this is probably the nicest team I remember.  They didn't try to intimidate us, and seemed quite down to earth.  I was also lucky that the day I had off, was the day they watched nurses do a med pass (which I think is the scariest thing to do in front of them!) so I was off that hook.
They left Friday and gave us a glowing report! They said we were a great team and worked well together.  They talked to many residents and they got no complaints. Many residents said they liked it here and if they couldn't be home, they wanted to be here. The surveyors said the staff worked like they weren't being watched and they could tell the staff really cared about the residents.  We did get 2 citations (which is a wonderful number).  One was because a therapy person opened a door to a room while a resident was being transferred.  That one is a dignity issue.  The other cite was for a toilet seat riser which was placed on the floor in a bathroom, which is under infection control.  Those things are easily fixed!
Everyone is happy at our place.  We truly do feel like we take good care of our people, but hearing it from a survey team is a great compliment.

17 comments:

Jean said...

Good for you and your co-workers! That is just wonderful to hear such words of commendation. Almost as wonderful as knowing that your survey visit is over for another year!

Doris said...

How I know the dread and tension of those State Survey visits! I endured many of them. Most survey teams are intimidating. I can remember one lady in 15 years who was very nice. We even had a nice chat! Most unusual.

Unknown said...

How well I remember those inspections when I worked at the hospital. JCAH would show up when we least expected it and of course, everyone was as nervous as a cat. We were instructed to just go about our regular routines and if we were doing things right, no need to worry. Sounds like your place passed with flying colors. Now, breath until next time! lol

Cherdecor said...

Congratulations to you and everyone who works there! It must be an amazing place to work.

Linda said...

Congratulations. I like reading about where you work. Have a lovely week, Mari. Blessings

Connie said...

Great job. I am always impressed with the place when I visit.

Sally said...

That's awesome, Mari! It's always nice to know everyone is doing a great job, and are loved by the residents. I'm sure you would have done fine with the meds though when you were off work. You come across as a fine person who is dedicated to the Lord, your family, friends and your work. God bless.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Way to go. Great news and awesome review.

carrie@northwoods scrapbook said...

Oh I remember those days all too well Mari! Glad it went so well and that the surveyors were so cool. Maybe they're changing their approach from now on - which would make a lot of sense!! I hated those intimidation days too.

Congrats to your facility and your whole team on being great and a job well done!
xoxo

Sola Scriptura said...

I'm glad it all went so well. You must feel very pleased to be a part of such a good team of carers.

Amy at love made my home said...

Glad for you that it went so well and that it means that everyone you care for is obviously so happy! xx

Jennifer Hays said...

So glad you got a good report. I know you work hard at your job and if your coworkers are even half as dedicated as you are, then it must be a fantastic facility for your patients.

White Lace and Promises said...

You have such a great attitute. I was prone to take citations personally because I knew how hard we worked to care for our residents and to treat them with dignity and respect. One little slip and you get a citation. But it's hard to be deficiency free. Good job and good attitude Mari. Of course, it would come from you.

Jenny said...

Mari you being a consummate professional and dedicated as you are to your work, I know you don't have to worry about prying eyes while you do a med pass. But I'm glad you were spared the pressure. This type of event sounds like "We're from the government and we're here to help" ... words that strike fear into every American. But once again you and your great team proved you've got the right stuff. The minor infractions they wrote up, it sounds like they had to search high and low so as to have at least a few tiny negatives. Good job! I'm glad that's out of the way for another year. xoxo

Betsy Brock said...

Very impressive! And how nice that you had one of those days off! yay!

Terri D said...

Congratulations to you and your team and your facility! Wonderful news!

Anonymous said...

Whew! So glad everything went well and you had a nice team come by! =) We went through reaccreditation process here, so I understand when people like that come, everyone is on edge. Hooray for survivin' and thrivin'!