Introduction
Bendicion Nursing Care and Rehabilitation is a facility that focuses on providing long-term care and rehabilitation for residents in New York City. The center offers a warm living environment with full-time supervision by professionals. Residents are assisted with services such as meal preparation, drug administration, and mobility to help them achieve fulfilling lives. Bendicion truly cares and focuses on improving lives by offering unmatched benefits, including palliative care, hospice care, and postoperative care. Furthermore, the facility is fully compliant with Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) regulations and guidelines, making it a reliable and convenient location for long-term care.
Particulars of the Facility
Name of Facility
Bendicion Nursing Care and Rehabilitation.
Demographic Area/Location
50 101st St, Westside, NY 10270, United States.
Décor
The facility has a blue theme that provides a calming effect with all rooms personalized to meet the specific requirements of residents.
Mission Statement
The mission of Bendicion is to:
- Ensure all residents receive world-class care regardless of their age
- Providing a safe environment for patient improvement
- Treat all patients without discrimination of their race, nationality, or ethnicity
Organization chart
The facility will be headed by the chief executive officer, who will be in charge of the daily operations of the facility. The chart below shows the distribution of employees.
Census
The facility has 100 beds and 50 rooms to cater to the different needs of residents.
Services provided by facility
Bendicion offers services ranging from:
- Dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
- Short- and long-term rehabilitation.
- Palliative care.
- Hospice care.
- Veteran care.
- Full-time physician care.
Payment methods
The facility accepts payment from private funds and considers Medicaid for residents who qualify for the State plan.
Length of stay
The facility offers both long-term and short-term stays for residents, depending on their needs. Recommendations are made based on initial assessments by relevant professionals.
Use and Application of Regulations
The U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Manual system pub. 100-07 State Operations Provider Certification regulations will be in use in the facility. These regulations are strictly followed to ensure that each resident gets the highest quality of care. Further, the goal of Bendicion Nursing Care and Rehabilitation is to become the leading provider of long-term care in the country.
483.10 – Resident Rights
Each resident in a skilled nursing home or nursing facility is guaranteed protection based on their status as citizens of the country. Further, the law provides for the protection of all their rights regardless of their physical or mental state. Consequently, regulation 483.10 outlines these rights succinctly to ensure that all registered long-term care facilities follow them (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). The aim of this regulation mainly lies in ensuring improved quality of life by providing avenues through which residents can enjoy their stay and live comfortably.
At Bendicion, regulation 483.10 will be applied fully at all times to support residents as they recover or receive treatment at the facility. All staff members, including nursing assistants and volunteers, will undergo a mandatory induction period that will cover these rights and answer any questions regarding their implementation. Further, other training will also be undertaken regularly to ensure compliance at all levels. Failure to follow the regulations provided will result in disciplinary action to the affected staff members, including sanctions aimed at improving adherence to the facility standards.
483.10(m) – Married Couples
This regulation provides for the cohabiting of married couples living in the same facility. In such cases, such individuals deemed to qualify for this regulation should be allowed to live together in the same quarters provided that they both agree to it. Further, no party shall be compelled to stay with another, either by a resident or the facility, in the case that they choose to remain alone despite their marital status (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). This means that couples have to mutually agree to stay together and have the same payment methods certified by the relevant governing body.
Regulation 483.10(m) regarding married couples will be adhered to at Bendicion, where couples who choose to stay together while under our care will be assigned a shared room. Companionship forms an essential part of the beliefs of eh facility hence such opportunities will be granted based on a thorough assessment of the conditions at the time. More so, the facility will further promote activities that give such married couples the privacy they deserve.
483.10(n) – Self-Administration of Drugs
With regard to drug administration, residents have the right to take their own medicine under conditions where it is acceptable and safe for them based on their care plan. In such cases, an interdisciplinary team must assess the individual requests and provide the necessary support to ensure that such individuals properly take and store any medication under their care (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). More so, such decisions must be constantly reevaluated concerning the status of the patient.
The right of residents to self-administer drugs under regulation 483.10 will be allowed on a need basis after strict evaluation by a select team of professionals in the facility. Firstly, an assessment of the care plan for the resident will be undertaken to determine suitability, after which the exception will be made. Based on the patient’s mental and physical capabilities, such rights may be withheld or removed entirely in cases where they fail to administer drugs as per the prescriptions correctly.
483.12 – Admission, Transfer, and Discharge Rights
Regulation 483.12 covers the admission, transfer, and discharge of patients in facilities certified to provide long-term care. In terms of admission to a facility, patients should not be coerced into signing waivers of rights to receive either Medicare or Medicaid support during their stay at the facility. With regard to transfers and discharge, any such activities initiated by the facility must conform to the set guidelines (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). These include instances where the patient no longer requires support by professionals, becomes a danger to a staff member or other residents, fails to pay for services, or in case the facility closes down and ceases operations.
At Bendicion, the facility will only initiate transfers and discharge under the specified conditions in regulation 483.12. In cases where this becomes the last resort, the patient and their next of kin will be informed of the decision in good time to allow for necessary arrangements to be made. Further, the patients will be allowed to apply for government support through Medicare and Medicaid to support the payment for services. This will ensure that any citizen who qualifies for such services will receive them under either government support or through their private means, thus guaranteeing entry into the facility.
483.12(a)(4) – Notice Before Transfer
Before the transfer or discharge of patients to another facility or non-specialized care location, it is imperative for the family members or representatives of the individuals to be informed of the impending decision. Such notice requires to be made in writing and must be in a language that can be understood by the resident and any other involved parties. Additionally, the reasons for such a decision must also be included in the resident’s clinical records for future use (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). These records must include aspects of the effective date, reasons for transfer/discharge, transfer location, and the ability to appeal the decision, among others.
Advance notice before a transfer will always be made in good time to a resident pending discharge or transfer from Bendicion. This will allow sufficient time for the member and his family or representatives to make alternative arrangements beforehand. Further, the facility will also enable the patient to appeal such a decision through the necessary channels allowing each party to present its case. Ultimately, such decisions will only be of last resort in cases where residency becomes untenable for the institution.
483.12(b) – Notice of Bed-Hold Policy and Readmission
Under this regulation, residents must be provided with a notice of the capability and period under which they can resume residency in the facility after taking therapeutic leave or being hospitalized. The state plan has specified the bed-hold limit for which the resident can pay to reserve a bed in case of such withdrawal (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). Readmission rights are also included in this regulation when an individual requests to return based on the ability to meet a specified criterion.
The right to readmission will be available for all residents in the facility based on applicable bed hold policies as set out in the state plan. This will ensure that qualifying individuals can swiftly access available beds in the facility if they return from any planned leave or unforeseen circumstances. Such residents will receive priority in cases where they meet readmission specifications, thus safeguarding their stay.
483.12(c) – Equal Access to Quality Care
According to this regulation, residents have the right to receive equal treatment during transfers or discharge regardless of the payment options used. The practices under this case must not be discriminatory towards others, and any additional charges for non-Medicaid individuals must be adequately supported and justified. Further, all services in the facility must be provided to all patients based on their assessed needs and in line with their care plan (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). This means that the State plan must be followed to provide services as described to all residents.
Bendicion will have zero tolerance towards discrimination of patients on the grounds of payment capabilities. All residents will receive care in line with the standards established by the hospital, following all approved care plans in line with the needs of the patient. This will ensure that each patient receives high-quality care that does not consider their finances but rather their well-being.
483.12(d) Admissions Policy
The right to Medicare and Medicaid is guaranteed to all residents who qualify under this regulation. This means that the direct or indirect coercion to waive such a right by facilities contravenes the law. More so, no extra charges should be levied to a patient under the Medicaid program as a prerequisite for admission into a facility. However, any charges on items or services not covered under the State plan (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). Therefore, any efforts to solicit any funds for expedited admission or as a condition for continued stay at the facility are not allowed.
Bendicion will never accept any financial tokens to grant admission into the facility for residents. Such actions go against the moral and ethical standards that govern the running of the institution. All patients will be afforded an equal opportunity to gain entry into the residency program based on the State plan without any additional charges. All employees will be aware of this policy, and any infringements will face disciplinary action.
483.13 – Resident Behavior and Facility Practices
This regulation outlines the conduct of staff towards residents in the case of unwarranted dangerous behavior. Staff members are trained to take necessary action to ensure that patients do not become a danger to themselves or others within the facility (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). Therefore, appropriate actions should be taken to ensure that any situations that disturb the peace are dealt with according to set regulations and standards that still respect the resident’s rights.
At the long-term care facility, actions will only be taken after a thorough analysis of the situation to ascertain the necessity of any further extreme measures. Patients will always be accorded the best level of care and will be expected to adhere to the rules and regulations of the facility at all times. Any actions taken against a resident will only be temporary to mitigate the situations and avert escalation. However, such instances will strictly be per the guidelines and standards present without posing any real risk to the patient.
483.13(a) – Restraints
This provision outlines the use of restraints on residents in cases where they may become unruly or medically unstable. Using tools to restrain residents is highly discouraged since a long-term care facility is perceived to be a safe environment that offers support. Restraints are defined as any instrument, either physical or chemical, that may be used to restrict a resident’s movements. Items such as side rails are highly prohibited from use on patient beds since they increase the possibility of serious injury when used (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). The least restrictive option should be used as a last resort when appropriate that can promote the physical and psychosocial well-being of the resident.
The policy on restraints will be limited to only appropriate situations that require the explicit consent of a professional in charge at Bendicion. Such cases will be treated on an individual basis with all alternatives used up first before turning to the use of restraints. Further, their use will be following regulation 483.13(a) that requires the protection of the patient’s rights. This limits the possibility of self-afflicted injuries to the residents while also promoting a safe environment.
483.13(b) – Abuse
Unreasonable punishment such as seclusion or intimidation by members of staff that could cause physical or emotional harm to a patient is classified as a form of abuse. Further, the deprivation of essential products or services to a resident is also considered a form of abuse. All modes of intervention used must be adequately assessed to determine their effect on the resident (Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, 2006). Any possibility of abuse should also be investigated by relevant authorities to prevent reoccurrences and institute measures to eliminate them from a facility.
Benediction will not tolerate any form of abuse towards residents by ensuring that staff members and other individuals working in the facility are aware of the regulation. Training will be implemented regularly on the best ways of dealing with patients when they are uncooperative to ensure their rights are protected. Further, all employees will be encouraged to use alternative methods to control their emotions to avoid confrontations with residents. The facility will remain steadfast in upholding the rights of the guests at all times by taking note of their concerns and investigating any forms of abuse before taking action on suspected individuals.
Conclusion
These regulations, as stipulated above, form an essential part of protecting patients during their stay in long-term care facilities. Being elderly and facing health conditions, residents require support to function optimally hence the need for government regulations to safeguard their rights. Bendicion will fully adhere to the CMS State Operations
Provider Certification guidelines on long-term care that define all actions to be taken under different circumstances. Adherence to these standards will ensure that the facility can continue offering wholesome, caring, and efficient care to residents, thus providing a high quality of life.
Reference
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. (2006). CMS manual system pub. 100-07 State operations provider certification – transmittal 19.