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Sadly, the one thing I took from my time as an EMT and paramedic was which nursing homes to consider and which to avoid. I filed more than one complaint with th

Sadly, the one thing I took from my time as an EMT and paramedic was which nursing homes to consider and which to avoid. I filed more than one complaint with the DOH. It's a standing joke that whenever 911 crews respond to a nursing home, the report you'll get from staff will be a bingo game of: - "I just got on shift; I don't know why you were called." - "This is not my usual floor; I'm just covering while someone is on lunch. I don't know why you were called." - [utterly unrealistic set of vitals, in either direction, healthy, lively vitals for someone who is not thriving, or "should be unconscious" vitals for someone lively and spry] - [extended time waiting for patient notes, history, an outdated med list with everything they've taken in their ten years at the facility] And so on. I (generally) don't blame the floor staff (though some things, as you describe, are inexcusable) but management/ownership. The same management/ownership that has the policy to call 911 for anything more involved than a bandaid for some weird idea of managing liability, nurses that "aren't allowed" to do several interventions that they can, for the same reason, all the while the facility has a massive billboard out the front advertising "24/7 nursing care" (and fees/costs commensurate with that).

wing-_-nuts 2y ago
Well, now I want to know, how do you pick a good one?
- FireBeyond 2y ago
  A lot easier when you're not on a tour and just have the ability to visit (fun fact, some facilities have socialization events around holidays, although that might sound callous). Staff mood. How many staff? If hallways are empty, just residents? Not good. Scents/odors. Yes, incontinence is a thing, not to be shamed. How you handle the cleaning, laundry of it, so it's not a pervasive scent? That's another. Most states will publish some reports. Washington's DOH will publish fairly detailed information on complaints against facilities, investigation details, and findings and outcomes.
Sabinus 2y ago
Name and shame. In the absence of adequate government protections, only company reputation protects consumers from exploitation.
- FireBeyond 2y ago
  Too many to name and shame. However, most states do publicize SNF (skilled nursing facility) inspections, complaints and investigations. Washington does, and with a good amount of detail, including outcomes and findings.

wing-_-nuts 2y ago

Well, now I want to know, how do you pick a good one?

FireBeyond 2y ago
A lot easier when you're not on a tour and just have the ability to visit (fun fact, some facilities have socialization events around holidays, although that might sound callous). Staff mood. How many staff? If hallways are empty, just residents? Not good. Scents/odors. Yes, incontinence is a thing, not to be shamed. How you handle the cleaning, laundry of it, so it's not a pervasive scent? That's another. Most states will publish some reports. Washington's DOH will publish fairly detailed information on complaints against facilities, investigation details, and findings and outcomes.

Sabinus 2y ago

Name and shame. In the absence of adequate government protections, only company reputation protects consumers from exploitation.

FireBeyond 2y ago
Too many to name and shame. However, most states do publicize SNF (skilled nursing facility) inspections, complaints and investigations. Washington does, and with a good amount of detail, including outcomes and findings.