State Survey Tools for Long-Term Care Facilities

Many Americans turn to nursing homes to care for aging parents or family members. Long-term care facilities provide 24-hour medical care for residents unable to care for themselves. These care facilities undergo unannounced state surveys to ensure quality of living for patients, cleanliness and proper training for staff members. The U.S.Department of Health and Human Services provides more information on long-term facility research.

Overall Assessment

• An overall assessment survey scores the long-term facility in every area. The survey assesses the facility's quality of living, staff and overall program. People conducting the survey go through an extensive checklist to determine whether the facility is meeting patients' needs, cleaning thoroughly and dispensing medication correctly and accurately. This survey also addresses medical training and policy to ensure accuracy.

Vital Research

• Vital research assessments focus on the patient. Often, the researchers will review each resident's records to ensure medication and treatment accuracy. The person reviewing patient records will look at different aspects such as length, duration and success of treatment plans prescribed by physicians and administered by nursing staff.

Climate

• Climate surveys address the environment in long-term facilities. An assessment professional looks at the way the staff members interact with each other and with patients. The survey addresses teamwork and leadership skills in staff. It will also look at the non-clinical side of long-term care such as cooking staff and maintenance support to ensure the facility is supplying healthy meals and providing timely and accurate maintenance.

Cognitive Screens

• Cognitive screens address the health and well-being of residents based on activities and interaction with other residents and staff. The survey checks for personal satisfaction among residents and happiness with offered services. The survey addresses all patients' overall well-being based on their environment.