Health Care Facility Program

This unit consists of Nurse Surveyors/inspectors who are certified to conduct complex inspections and investigations of health care facilities (nursing homes and domiciliary/assisted living facilities).  Nurse surveyors determine if nursing homes are in compliance with Federal, State and County laws and regulations in order to be licensed and to receive Medicare/Medicaid funds.  In addition, nurse surveyors inspect Domiciliary/Assisted Living facilities to determine compliance with State and County laws and regulations.

Health Care Facility inspections are unannounced and are conducted on site.
In addition, this program licenses small group home facilities for three or more unrelated individuals.

Surveyor duties include but are not limited to:

• Off site review of the nursing home and domiciliary facilities surveys and complaints.
• Tour of the facility to get an overview of the facility, staff, residents and environment.
• Resident Record Review
• Evaluation/observation:  Medication administration, pressure sore treatments, food/dining service, environment, rehab services, physician services, nursing services, social work services, activities, care plans and MDS reviews-an assessment tool used to gather information regarding a residents condition to provide staff with ongoing assessment information necessary to develop a care plan and to provide appropriate care and services for each resident.
• Resident, family and resident council interviews.
• Conduct complaint investigations.
• Investigate alleged abuse and neglect.
• Participate in bioterrorism preparedness planning and operations