Nursing Home Equipment and Standards Quiz

Organizational Standards

• The organization responsible for developing and approving ADA guidelines and standards is the U.S. Access Board.

Safety Standards

• Railings and grab bars must bear a minimum weight of 250 pounds.
• The maximum audible alarm decibel level for alarms is 110 decibels.
• In nursing homes, the fire alarm system must be continuously monitored.

Emergency Systems

• When activating or pulling a fire alarm, the automatic door unlock feature is NOT activated.
• Phones must be fitted with a minimum cord length of 36 inches.
• Landings at the top and bottom of each stairway run must have a minimum width of 44 inches.

Communication Aids

• Hearing aid compatible phones must have volume control that can adjust between 12 to 20 decibels.

Maintenance and Compliance

• Grab bars and railings must support a minimum weight of 250 pounds.
• Emergency generators must be visually inspected and checked at least monthly.

Federal Standards and Care

• Current federal resident care standards are considered to be the baseline for quality in long-term care.
• The largest payor source for long-term care is Medicare.
• The average short-term stay for a Medicare resident is approximately 27 days.

Survey Standards

• ANSI stands for the American National Standards Institute.
• The Annual survey aims to ensure compliance with safety and quality standards in facilities.
• A survey is classified as potential for harm but no actual harm found under "class 2."
• A "Follow-Up Survey" is conducted to check compliance with the 2567 Plan of Correction.
• The Complaint Survey evaluates specific grievances regarding facility care and practices.

Violation Classifications

• Violations falling under scope class "widespread" indicate significant issues affecting multiple residents.
• Class 3 violations indicate minor problems that do not pose immediate risk to resident health or safety.
• Facilities undergo an extended survey when there are significant or repeated deficiencies.
• Class 1 violations in the Violation Matrix indicate immediate jeopardy to resident health or safety.
• A Partial Compliance Survey is conducted if there is a failure to fully implement the Plan of Correction.