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“Survey”… What It Means to You
The Department of Health and Human Services surveys and inspects all licensed nursing homes every nine to fifteen months. The surveyors, generally registered nurses and licensed dietitians, review the care of a sample of current and discharged residents through observation and medical record review.
The survey process also includes:
* interviews of residents & family members
* meetings with the Resident Council
* dining observation
* kitchen/food service observation
* infection control policies & practices
* abuse prohibition review
* quality assessment and assurance review
The survey team observes medication distribution and various treatments. There are approximately 200 requirements that must be met. Any deviation from these requirements results in a deficiency. Deficiencies are categorized by how many residents are affected (scope – few, some, many) and how serious the deficiency is (severity).
Severity is categorized as:
Level I (B, C) – potential for causing no more than a minor negative impact on the resident.
Level II (D, E, F) – no more than minimal physical, mental, and/or psychosocial discomfort to the resident and/or has the potential to compromise the resident’s highest practicable physical, mental and/or psychosocial well being.
Level III (G, H, I) – Actual Harm to Residents
Level IV (J, K, L) – Immediate Jeopardy to Residents
Over the past three years Collingswood has been rated in the top 25% of nursing homes in the state of Maryland. There have been no deficiencies at the actual harm level or affecting many residents. The Survey Team has accepted our written Plan of Correction on lesser deficiencies without requiring a revisit/resurvey of the facility.
It is our intention to always strive toward not just meeting the requirements, but surpassing them.
For more information on surveys, visit medicare.gov.
Having Your Say
You will have a unique opportunity to offer input into how things operate at Collingswood. The People Say is a program in which residents, visitors and employees can participate in a satisfaction survey regarding their opinions about the atmosphere and services of the center. “We are very excited about this program,” states Administrator Cyndy Martin. “We are able to hear directly from those who matter most.” Computer kiosk stations are conveniently located throughout the building. The satisfaction survey should only take about five minutes to complete and can be anonymous. “We use the data to continue to improve our excellent quality of care,” Martin added.
