Page 4 - Regulatory Compliance in Culture Change - 2018 update

Regulatory Concern
Specific state concerns vary greatly.
IL - animals can’t be in kitchen and can’t be in dining room when food is served
OK - excluding fish, number of animals in facility is limited to 1 dog/50 residents; 1 cat/rabbit/guinea pig/30 residents; 1 bird/20 residents unless receive prior approval
MN - animals can’t be in kitchen and can’t be in dining room when used for food service; can’t be in medication rooms; can’t be in clean utility or clean linen areas.
Possible F Tags
F253
F323
Possible interpretation of F Tag by regulators
Housekeeping services -
Balance the resident’s need for a home environment with the requirements of having a “sanitary” environment in a congregate living situation.
Accidents
“Accident hazards” are defined as physical features in the nursing facility environment that can endanger a resident’s safety.
Approaches to facilitate compliance
Develop policies and procedures for each type of animal prior to admission to facility to ensure proper housekeeping services are in place.
Identify animal loving staff in each area who will assume special accountability for positive resolution of animal related housekeeping issues.
Visiting animals, as well as resident animals, need to be well-controlled, well behaved, and current in their immuniza- tions. Keep a “medical record” with vet certification of health status and current immunizations for visiting and resident animals.
Assess each resident for possible risk, focusing on residents with hearing or vision impediments with increased risk of falling.
Make sure residents want animals in their area. Document their approval through resident council minutes; also document their concerns and the facility response to their concerns.
Advise all potential residents and employees that animals live in the facility through facility brochure and admission/hire procedure.
All federal and state regulations for handrails must be followed.
QI to maintain
Pets and animals living in the facility
Audit sanitation of indoor and outdoor environments.
Audit care plans of at risk residents to ensure animal risk is identified with proper approaches to minimize risk.
Screen all animals for suitability in size, color, activity level, temperament, etc. prior to introduction to specific area of facility.
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