VA Recognition Survey

March 16-18, 2010

George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans’ Home

Second Veterans’ Home in UtahConstruction completed November 2009Dedication November 19, 2009First Veteran admitted January 26, 201021st Veteran admitted March 10, 2010120 bed facility. Largest Veterans’ Home in State

Four separate communities of 30 Veterans One 30 bed Memory Care Community Three 30 bed Skilled Nursing Care Communities

All sleeping areas are private Some bathrooms are shared

George E. Wahlen Ogden Veterans’ Home

Administration of the Veterans’ Home Contracted to Avalon Health CareCurrently 126 employees (new jobs in the county)

State Officer is the representative at the Home for oversight and Veterans’ advocacy

Census as of this morning 97Two Female Veterans86 Male VeteransTwo spouse and veteran live in HomeSeven surviving spouses

VA Recognition Survey ProcessSLVA Medical Center of Jurisdiction

Three members covered administration and financeFinance completed on first day

Ascellon CorporationFour members

Three nurses covered operations, dietary, nursing Former Marine fire fighter covered life safety

Worked very well together as a team and with the Veterans’ Home staff

VA Recognition Survey ProcessVery professional approach

Instructive not DestructiveVery detailed Allowed for on-the-spot correctionsLooked at every standard as a training opportunityVery patient in working through each issueThis does not mean it was easy. You have to be

prepared and ready.

VA Recognition Survey Process158 Standards plus Life Safety Inspection

All standards must be passed with “MET” statusAll Life Safety items must be met with no deficiencies

Three Day Process 0800 In-Brief1500 – 1700 Out-Brief

Dietary

Asked detailed questions of staff Allowed for on-the-spot corrections

Eye Wash Stations Had passed three previous surveys Legitimate concern with hot water scalds Worked with maintenance manager to install working

solution

Human ResourcesMost stressful time was the preparationHeard that the survey was “Brutal”Worked with us to find solutionsGreat coaching and mentoring

NursingExtremely thoroughVery knowledgeable in all areas of patient careSpent a great deal of time with the VeteransMore interested in systems than dotted i’s and

crossed t’s Our systems were improved and we are providing

better care due to the survey

Medical RecordsProcess went wellIt was the best survey I have ever experienced.Team was insightful, helpful and willing to work with

the staffIt was a positive experience to work with them.

Life SafetyFormer Marine/Former fire fighter doing Life Safety –

Watch Out!In Reality – Very instructive and focused on the

Veterans’ safetyHeavy on needing written logs to back up

inspections and maintenanceOne area that still is subjective from surveyor to

surveyorSLVH inspection criteria were slightly different

Social WorkerRAP notes were “Canned”

Survey Team helped our understanding of how to improve the RAP notes to make them more effective

Very focused on trainingGood experience which has helped improve the care

to our Veterans

OVERALLGood learning experienceWe had systems in place and working well in

advance of the Survey Team arrivalStaff did not “Fight” any areas

Disagreements were allowedWorked together for solutions

The Veterans’ Home staff and I were very appreciative of the work done by the Survey Team

“Oh By the Way, We Passed!”

SUBJECT TO YOUR QUESTIONS THAT COMPLETES MY BREIFING