You are the compliance officer at New Community Hospital. Yesterday a patient was left alone in restraints and later found deceased. The family is outraged. As the compliance officer you now have to prepare for visits from governing and regulatory agencies. How will you prepare for this visit?
Peer Post
Given this situation where a restrained patient was left unattended in the hallway and later found deceased prompts a number of different responses. On the cusp of a regulatory visit, this would set me in to panic mode. In an effort to prepare for such a visit after such a negative recent occurrence, I would want to make sure first and foremost we had a policy regarding restraints as well as a policy regrading unattended patients as well as a policy for treatment of overflow patients.
After fine tooth combing each of these policies I would respond by meeting with administration and management of that department to enlist re-education or corrective action plan if one was not already developed. Throughout this process I would engage the hospitals legal advising agency as well. All the motions set forth into action in response to this dilemma would be documented in an effort to show steps taken to respond and to prevent this situation.
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
As a compliance officer at a hospital, it is crucial to ensure that the regulatory and governing agencies are satisfied with the hospital’s operations. However, in the unfortunate event of a patient dying while under restraint and unattended, preparing for a regulatory visit becomes a daunting task.
Answer:
To prepare for a visit from governing and regulatory agencies following the death of a patient left unattended in restraints, several steps need to be taken. Firstly, the hospital should have policies in place regarding restraints, unattended patients, and the treatment of overflow patients. Fine tooth combing each of these policies ensures that they meet the required standards and regulations.
Secondly, a meeting with the administration and management of the department responsible for the patient’s care is mandatory. This meeting must aim to enroll them in a re-education or corrective action program, ensuring that the situation never repeats itself. During the process, legal advisors should be involved to ensure that the hospital’s actions do not breach any laws or regulations.
Lastly, all the measures undertaken to respond and prevent the situation need to be documented and presented during the regulatory visit. The documentation will serve to demonstrate the steps the hospital has taken to ensure the highest possible standards.