Public Health

[LTC LPN 2006]

We have our mock survey coming up in May and this will be one of my first times experiencing a survey. I did work at one nursing home during a survey before, but I was Bookkeeping/Personnel and the Administrator basically told us to stay out of site. Since my office door was a fire door it had to remain closed at all times and with no windows to my office, it was quite easy to avoid surveyers.

What are some of the important things to look for to be ready for survey?

How do different facilities work? Do you have tasks divided up or everyone just helps out??

I remember working as a CNA on PM shift so I never had to worry about actually interacting with surveyers, but we used to have to make sure everyone had toothbrush, paste, basin, bed pan, etc. marked with their names on them. Things like barrier creams were to be kept in drawers and also had to have names on them.

I've seen nurses run around to check that O2 tubing has been changed and dated, call lights in reach, etc.

What are some of the other things that are important to pay attention for?