PICTURED ARE SOME OF THE STAFF FROM THE EWING WING AND THE DIETARY DEPARTMENT FROM JOHN C. FREMONT HOSPITAL. All skilled nursing facilities in California are subject to an annual inspection (called a survey) by the California Department of Public Health Services (DPHS) to ensure the facility is meeting the state and federal licensing criteria for operationquality of care and safety. On Aug. 10 two inspectors came to at John C. Fremont Healthcare District to perform the survey inspection of the Ewing Wing, the district’s skilled nursing unit.

A DPHS survey is performed by two or more inspectors from the DPHS who spend two or more days and evenings looking carefully reviewing every aspect of patient care of at the skilled nursing facility. They examine patients’ medical records, review and policies and procedures, and evaluate including nursing care, personnel, staff qualifications and certifications, infection control practices, quality management, dietary, housekeeping, maintenance, safety and disaster preparedness, and administrative procedures.

They interview several staff, the ombudsman, several residents and some of the residents’ family members. They inspect the dietary department and observe the staff in preparation and serving of meals. They observe the nurses doing medication distribution and treatment procedures. They observe and also the nursing assistants as they perform various care duties.

The surveyors observe the housekeeping staff as they carry out their duties. They review the personnel files of staff, checking for proper licensure, certifications, skills competency and required trainings. When the survey team completes it inspection, it holds an exit meeting with the facility’s administration and management and interested staff to inform them of their findings.

When on the fourth day of the inspection at 4 p.m., the JCF staff gathered for the exit meeting, the lead inspector CHPD read the required opening statement. She then said, “We know it’s been stressful having us here for four days. We want to thank you all of you. You’ve been very responsive and helpful when answering our questions and to our requests. Now, to our findings. We found one minor deficiency which I’m sure you’ll correct and that’s all. You are doing a great job here and you should be proud of yourselves,”

Chuck Bill, CEO, said “On a daily basis, throughout the district, I see the combined efforts, the hard work, and the dedication by our staff to assure that our patients and our skilled nursing residents receive high quality care. But, doing so well on the survey and being highly praised by the state’s inspectors was is really exciting and gratifying for all of us.”