STRATTON HOUSE RECEIVES DEFICIENCY-FREE SURVEY

Only 12% of all nursing homes nationwide receive deficiency-free surveys1; thanks to the dedicated staff and administration, Stratton House Nursing Home is part of this small percentage.

Two nursing home surveyors, sent by the Vermont Department of Aging and Disabilities, Division of Licensing and Protection, made an unannounced visit in November and spent more than two full days on site.

"This is not a nursing home.
This is a home that provides nursing care."
State surveyor, during recent Stratton House inspection.

Their inspection included an examination of Stratton House policies and procedures and medical records, interviews with patients and their families, a review of the dietary, housekeeping, and maintenance departments, and numerous observations of patient care and activities.

Stratton House nurses Mayla Brown, LPN, and Mark Malloy, RN, review patient charts.

"This is not a nursing home. This is a home that provides nursing care," said one of the surveyors during the visit, and this was just one of many positive comments made by the pair. Other remarks concerned the laundry - "nice job"; the social worker - "she makes life better for residents"; activities - "there's so much going on"; and dietary - "Quality food with choices". The surveyors witnessed the collaborative effort made by physicians in their support of residents, family members, and staff.

Grace Cottage Hospital was also the subject of an annual survey recently, during which only one deficiency was observed. "It involved storage of our medical records," said Mary Urquhart, Director of Nursing. "The surveyors asked that all rooms where medical records are stored be locked, and we complied with that request within 24 hours. Nursing and patient care had no deficiencies. In fact, the surveyors remarked, 'You obviously have a very skilled group of nurses here. They seem to do everything.'"

1 According to the U.S. Government's Center for Medicare/Medicaid Services, based on most recent data available (6/01).