We pick the brain of a federal surveyor

Together With

Good morning.  This week we sat down with a CMS federal surveyor to pick their brain and get a lay of the land.  Let's dive into the highlights of the conversation.

Interview with a surveyor

What trends are you seeing in skilled nursing facilities this year?

A few things.  First, I'm seeing a lot of facilities struggling to find and retain staff.  This is a nationwide problem, but it's particularly acute in the nursing home industry.  As a result, many facilities are short-staffed, which can lead to quality of care issues.

Second, I'm seeing an increase in residents with complex medical needs.  This is due to several factors, including the aging population and the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases.  These residents require more specialized care, which can strain resources.

Finally, I'm seeing a growing focus on quality improvement.  Facilities are under increasing pressure to improve the quality of care they provide, and they're using various tools and techniques to do so.

What are the three most commonly cited F tags in 2023?

The three most commonly cited F tags in 2023 are:

• F257: Medication administration errors.  This is a serious issue that can have a significant impact on resident safety.
• F261: Pressure ulcers.  Pressure ulcers are a preventable skin condition that can lead to severe complications, including infection and sepsis.
• F271: Falls.  Falls are a significant risk for nursing home residents, and they can lead to serious injuries, including fractures and head injuries.

What are the operational and procedural gaps that are causing these F tags?

The operational and procedural gaps that are causing these F tags are varied, but they often include the following:

• Lack of staff training.  Staff must be adequately trained in medication administration, pressure ulcer prevention, and fall prevention.
• Inadequate staffing levels.  When facilities are short-staffed, staff are often overworked and stressed, which can lead to errors and omissions.
• Poor documentation.  Poor documentation can make it challenging to track resident care and identify problems early on.
• Lack of communication.  Communication between staff, residents, and families is essential for providing safe and effective care.

What frustrates you the most as a surveyor?

What frustrates me the most as a surveyor is seeing facilities that are not doing everything they can to provide safe and effective care for their residents.  I understand that running a nursing home is a challenging business, but it's no excuse for cutting corners regarding resident care.

What is the low-hanging fruit you look for during day one of the survey?

On day one of the survey, I'm looking for low-hanging fruit that can be addressed quickly and easily.  This might include things like:

• Outdated policies and procedures.  Facilities should have policies and procedures in place that reflect current best practices.
• Incomplete or inaccurate documentation.  Documentation should be complete and accurate so that it can be used to track resident care and identify problems early on.
• Unsafe or unsanitary conditions.  Facilities should be clean and safe for residents and staff.

What can an NHA do to create an excellent first impression on the survey team?

An NHA can create an excellent first impression on the survey team by being welcoming and cooperative.  They should also be prepared to answer the surveyors' questions and provide them with the necessary information.  Having all required documents ready to go in a binder or some other organized fashion always leads me to believe that the facility is prepared and takes pride in what they do.

In addition, the NHA should ensure that the facility is clean and safe and that staff are adequately trained and following policies and procedures.  By taking these steps, the NHA can help ensure that the survey goes smoothly and that potential problems are identified and addressed early on.

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