CARE HOMES FOR OLDER PEOPLE
Alpine Lodge Nursing Home Alpine Road Stocksbridge Sheffield South Yorkshire S36 1AD Lead Inspector
Michael O`Neil Key Unannounced Inspection 18th July 2006 08:55 X10015.doc Version 1.40 Page 1 The Commission for Social Care Inspection aims to: • • • • Put the people who use social care first Improve services and stamp out bad practice Be an expert voice on social care Practise what we preach in our own organisation Reader Information
Document Purpose Author Audience Further copies from Copyright Inspection Report CSCI General Public 0870 240 7535 (telephone order line) This report is copyright Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) and may only be used in its entirety. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the express permission of CSCI www.csci.org.uk Internet address Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 2 This is a report of an inspection to assess whether services are meeting the needs of people who use them. The legal basis for conducting inspections is the Care Standards Act 2000 and the relevant National Minimum Standards for this establishment are those for Care Homes for Older People. They can be found at www.dh.gov.uk or obtained from The Stationery Office (TSO) PO Box 29, St Crispins, Duke Street, Norwich, NR3 1GN. Tel: 0870 600 5522. Online ordering: www.tso.co.uk/bookshop This report is a public document. Extracts may not be used or reproduced without the prior permission of the Commission for Social Care Inspection. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 3 SERVICE INFORMATION
Name of service Alpine Lodge Nursing Home Address Alpine Road Stocksbridge Sheffield South Yorkshire S36 1AD 0114 288 8226 0114 288 8610 none None Alpine Health Care Limited Telephone number Fax number Email address Provider Web address Name of registered provider(s)/company (if applicable) Name of registered manager (if applicable) Type of registration No. of places registered (if applicable) Annie Kudangirana Care Home 61 Category(ies) of Dementia - over 65 years of age (20), Old age, registration, with number not falling within any other category (41) of places Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 4 SERVICE INFORMATION
Conditions of registration: None Date of last inspection 19th December 2005 Brief Description of the Service: Alpine Lodge is a care home providing nursing care for sixty-one older people. Within the home is a twenty-bedded unit for people with dementia. Alpine Health Care Limited owns the home. The home is located in Stocksbridge, northwest Sheffield, opposite a school, within walking distance of shops and the bus route. The home is a purpose built two-storey building. All bedrooms are single occupancy and have en-suite facilities. The home is comfortably furnished and well decorated with an appropriate number of lounge and dining areas. The home has a garden area and a car park. The business services manager said a copy of the previous inspection report was available in the service user guides, which are provided in every residents bedroom. Information about how to raise any issues of concern or make a complaint was on display in the foyer of the home. The business services manager confirmed that the range of fees from 18th July 2006 were £429 - £489 per week. Additional charges included hairdressing, newspapers and private chiropody. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 5 SUMMARY
This is an overview of what the inspector found during the inspection. This was an unannounced key inspection carried out by Mike O’Neil, regulation inspector. This inspection took place between the hours of 8.55 am and 5:20 pm. Wadzanai Hurasha, deputy manager and Angela Parkes, business services manager were present during the inspection. The manager submitted a pre inspection questionnaire to the CSCI prior to the actual visit to the home. Some information from the questionnaire is included in the main body of the report. Opportunity was taken to make a partial tour of the premises, inspect a sample of care records, check records relating to the running of the home, check the homes policies and procedures and talk to 10 staff, 8 residents, 6 visiting relatives and a visiting health professional. The inspector wishes to thank all these people for their time, friendliness and co-operation throughout the inspection process. What the service does well:
Residents said that the care they were receiving was good. Residents added comments such as” staff are lovely ”, “staff are nice and friendly” and “it is a really nice place to live”. Relatives made comments such as “the staff are caring and the standard of care is very good at Alpine Lodge”. A friendly and welcoming feel was evident in Alpine Lodge. Residents said that the home was “a happy place” this was evident on the day of inspection. There was a real sense and feeling of a community within Alpine Lodge. Residents spoke positively about the amount of activities available both within the home and on trips outside the home. These were advertised around the home. Activities were occurring during this inspection and a large number of residents were enjoying singing together and having a drink. The activities coordinators showed great enthusiasm about their roles and were keen to include as many residents as possible in different types of activities. Residents said that they had a choice of food and that the quality of food served was good. Staff said that there were good training opportunities available to them.
Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 6 Relatives and residents said that the home was always kept clean. Residents and relatives said that they met regularly with the managers of Alpine Lodge and spoke positively about their approachability and helpfulness. What has improved since the last inspection? What they could do better: Please contact the provider for advice of actions taken in response to this inspection. The report of this inspection is available from enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk or by contacting your local CSCI office. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 7 DETAILS OF INSPECTOR FINDINGS CONTENTS
Choice of Home (Standards 1–6) Health and Personal Care (Standards 7-11) Daily Life and Social Activities (Standards 12-15) Complaints and Protection (Standards 16-18) Environment (Standards 19-26) Staffing (Standards 27-30) Management and Administration (Standards 31-38) Scoring of Outcomes Statutory Requirements Identified During the Inspection Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 8 Choice of Home
The intended outcomes for Standards 1 – 6 are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. Prospective service users have the information they need to make an informed choice about where to live. Each service user has a written contract/ statement of terms and conditions with the home. No service user moves into the home without having had his/her needs assessed and been assured that these will be met. Service users and their representatives know that the home they enter will meet their needs. Prospective service users and their relatives and friends have an opportunity to visit and assess the quality, facilities and suitability of the home. Service users assessed and referred solely for intermediate care are helped to maximise their independence and return home. The Commission considers Standards 3 and 6 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standard 3. Standard 6 is not applicable to this home. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Residents’ assessments prior to admission took place. These enabled staff to be aware of residents needs to ensure that they could be met. EVIDENCE: Staff spoken to said that assessments were undertaken prior to admission to ensure the service could meet prospective residents needs. The home’s manager and social workers of the residents carried these out. Copies of care management assessments were available and held within resident files. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 9 Health and Personal Care
The intended outcomes for Standards 7 – 11 are: 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. The service user’s health, personal and social care needs are set out in an individual plan of care. Service users’ health care needs are fully met. Service users, where appropriate, are responsible for their own medication, and are protected by the home’s policies and procedures for dealing with medicines. Service users feel they are treated with respect and their right to privacy is upheld. Service users are assured that at the time of their death, staff will treat them and their family with care, sensitivity and respect. The Commission considers Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 7, 8, 9 and 10. Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The residents’ health, social and personal care needs were well documented in the care plans meaning that the resident’s needs could be met. A range of health care professionals visited the home to assist in maintaining the health care needs of residents. Residents themselves said that the care they were receiving was good. Some medication practices provided a risk to the residents’ health and welfare. Residents said that the staff promoted their privacy and dignity by knocking on their doors and waiting for a response before entering. Staff spoke to residents in a respectful way and showed empathy and patience when providing personal care to the residents. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 10 EVIDENCE: Three resident plans of care were checked. The standard of the care plans was good. The care plans provided detail of the residents specialist needs. The care plans identified that a range of health professionals visited the home to assist in maintaining the residents health care needs. Residents or their relatives were involved in drawing up the care plans. Staff were updating resident risk assessments and the care plans on a monthly basis. A visiting health care professional said that staff at the home communicated well with them and felt that the standard of care delivered at the home was good. Residents said that the care they were receiving was good. Residents added comments such as” staff are lovely ”, “staff are nice and friendly” and “it is a really nice place to live”. Relatives made comments such as “the staff are caring and the standard of care is very good at Alpine Lodge”. The inspector observed that residents were well dressed in clean clothes and had received a good standard of personal care. Medicines were securely stored around the home in locked cupboards. Medicine Administration Records (MAR) checked were completed with staffs’ signatures. Residents’ health and safety, however, was not maintained because some medication procedures employed by staff were potentially unsafe. • The inspector saw numerous empty plastic medication capsules in two medication trollies. Staff said they were emptying the powder from the capsules into a drink for the residents or a feed tube inserted into the residents’ abdomen, as the residents were unable to swallow a capsule. This practice may change the drug properties and thus its effect on the resident. There was no consent from a pharmacist or G.P to this practice being acceptable. • Medicines of residents who were discharged from the home 2 months earlier were still being held at the home rather than being returned to the community pharmacy. Residents said that staff at the home respected their privacy and dignity by knocking on their doors and waiting for a response before entering. The inspector observed this practice of staff knocking on residents’ doors. Staff spoke to residents in a respectful yet friendly way. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 11 Daily Life and Social Activities
The intended outcomes for Standards 12 - 15 are: 12. 13. 14. 15. Service users find the lifestyle experienced in the home matches their expectations and preferences, and satisfies their social, cultural, religious and recreational interests and needs. Service users maintain contact with family/ friends/ representatives and the local community as they wish. Service users are helped to exercise choice and control over their lives. Service users receive a wholesome appealing balanced diet in pleasing surroundings at times convenient to them. The Commission considers all of the above key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 12, 13, 14 and 15. Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The majority of residents had a choice of lifestyle within the home and they were able to maintain contact with family and friends ensuring that they continue to be involved in community life. The home has an open visiting policy, which assisted in maintaining good relationships with residents’ representatives. Meals served at the home were of a good quality and offered choice to ensure residents receive a healthy balanced diet. However, the meals were not served at times convenient to some residents or in pleasing surroundings. EVIDENCE: Residents were able to spend their day as they wished and move freely around the home. Some residents were sat in the gardens with their relatives. Residents said that they were able to maintain contact with their family and friends. Relatives said they were always made to feel welcome when they visited and were offered hospitality.
Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 12 A friendly and welcoming feel was evident in Alpine Lodge. Residents said that the home was “a happy place” this was evident on the day of inspection. There was a real sense and feeling of a community within Alpine Lodge. Residents spoke positively about the amount of activities available both within the home and on trips outside the home. These were advertised around the home. Activities were occurring during this inspection and a large number of residents were enjoying singing together and having a drink. The activities coordinators showed great enthusiasm about their roles and were keen to include as many residents as possible in different types of activities. The inspector however found that some residents, who were less physically able to participate in some activities, were left unsupervised in two lounges. The staff responsible for the care on this unit were not participating or helping with any activities but were sat talking to each other out of site of the residents in the lounges. It was noticeable to see how the residents became much more alert and animated when the inspector started talking to the residents who were sat in the lounges. On one unit the staff were not providing information that may help residents with orientation. There were no details displayed with such details as the date, weather or place where the residents were living. This information would aid the residents with orientation to time and place. Residents said they chose when they got up and went to bed and generally how they spent their day. Some residents said they preferred to stay in their room at certain times of the day and that the staff respected their decision. Residents said that they had a choice of food and that the quality of food served was good. The inspector observed lunch being served in two dining rooms. In one dining room lunch was served in a pleasant relaxed manner and residents were sat at tables, which had been nicely set. Residents said that they enjoyed their lunch. However in one dining room the staff were struggling to try and assist several residents with their meals. Two residents were sat at the table watching other residents eat whilst they had no drink or food in front of them. The inspector observed this poor practice take place for over fifteen minutes. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 13 Complaints and Protection
The intended outcomes for Standards 16 - 18 are: 16. 17. 18. Service users and their relatives and friends are confident that their complaints will be listened to, taken seriously and acted upon. Service users’ legal rights are protected. Service users are protected from abuse. The Commission considers Standards 16 and 18 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 16 and 18. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Staff had an understanding of the procedures to be followed should they suspect any abuse at the home, so helping to ensure residents are protected from abuse. Complaints procedures are in place to enable residents and relatives to feel confident that any concerns they voice will be listened to. EVIDENCE: Complaints procedures were displayed around the home. Residents and relatives said that if they had any concerns that they would feel comfortable in talking to the managers and they knew that the problems would be dealt with immediately. Staff said they had received information on adult abuse and said they had read and were aware of the policies on whistle blowing at the home. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 14 Environment
The intended outcomes for Standards 19 – 26 are: 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. Service users live in a safe, well-maintained environment. Service users have access to safe and comfortable indoor and outdoor communal facilities. Service users have sufficient and suitable lavatories and washing facilities. Service users have the specialist equipment they require to maximise their independence. Service users’ own rooms suit their needs. Service users live in safe, comfortable bedrooms with their own possessions around them. Service users live in safe, comfortable surroundings. The home is clean, pleasant and hygienic. The Commission considers Standards 19 and 26 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 19, 24 and 26. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. The environment within the home was generally well maintained and clean providing a comfortable, safe environment for residents. EVIDENCE: The grounds around the home were very welcoming and residents said that they could easily access them should they wish. The residents were sitting outside on garden furniture on a pleasant patio area of the home. Three bedrooms were checked in detail and many others seen, all were comfortable and homely. Bed linen checked was clean and in a good condition. However, some pillows were found to be very lumpy which would make them uncomfortable for the residents. The business services manager said that some pillows had been replaced and that she had ordered more pillows so that eventually all the pillows would be replaced in the home.
Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 15 One wheelchair was splattered with food debris otherwise the home was clean and tidy. No unpleasant odours were noticeable in the home. Relatives and residents said that the home was always kept clean. Window restrictors were fitted to all windows checked. The hot water temperature in one bathroom checked measured a safe temperature below 45 degrees centigrade. This will assist in maintaining resident safety. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 16 Staffing
The intended outcomes for Standards 27 – 30 are: 27. 28. 29. 30. Service users’ needs are met by the numbers and skill mix of staff. Service users are in safe hands at all times. Service users are supported and protected by the home’s recruitment policy and practices. Staff are trained and competent to do their jobs. The Commission consider all the above are key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 27, 28, 29 and 30. Quality in this outcome area is good. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. Staff were employed in sufficient numbers to meet the residents needs. The recruitment information obtained for new staff was sufficient to adequately protect the welfare of residents who lived at the home. Staff have completed training that ensures these staff have the competences to meet the residents needs. Staff undertook induction training to ensure they had the skills needed to carry out their duties. EVIDENCE: The deputy manager stated that agreed staffing levels were being maintained and the staff rota identified agreed staffing levels had been met. Staff said staffing levels were adequate. Residents said there was always a member of staff available when they needed them. The manager said that fifty per cent of care staff had now achieved their level 2/3 NVQ qualification. A sample of staff files checked identified that staff had achieved their NVQ qualification. Three members of staff interviewed said they had completed their NVQ training. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 17 Two staff recruitment files were checked. The staff files contained references from the staff’s last employer, information to verify identity and Criminal Record Bureau (CRB) and Protection Of Vulnerable Adults (POVA) checks. The manager confirmed that all staff working at the home had completed an enhanced CRB/POVA check. Staff said that there were good training opportunities available to them. Induction records and staff interviews evidenced that staff induction was thorough. All of the staff interviewed confirmed that they had been provided with a five-day office based induction, and shadowed a more experienced carer. The training provided on induction covered moving and handling, health and safety, food hygiene and adult protection. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 18 Management and Administration
The intended outcomes for Standards 31 – 38 are: 31. 32. 33. 34. 35. 36. 37. 38. Service users live in a home which is run and managed by a person who is fit to be in charge, of good character and able to discharge his or her responsibilities fully. Service users benefit from the ethos, leadership and management approach of the home. The home is run in the best interests of service users. Service users are safeguarded by the accounting and financial procedures of the home. Service users’ financial interests are safeguarded. Staff are appropriately supervised. Service users’ rights and best interests are safeguarded by the home’s record keeping, policies and procedures. The health, safety and welfare of service users and staff are promoted and protected. The Commission considers Standards 31, 33, 35 and 38 the key standards to be inspected at least once during a 12 month period. JUDGEMENT – we looked at outcomes for the following standard(s): Standards 31, 32, 33, 35, 37 and 38. Quality in this outcome area is adequate. This judgement has been made using available evidence including a visit to this service. There was a positive style of management in the home. This would have a positive affect on the quality of the service the residents receive. Some of the homes policies, procedures and financial procedures did not fully promote the health, safety and welfare of residents and staff. Residents’ confidentiality was safeguarded, as their records were securely stored in the home. EVIDENCE: The manager had completed her level 4 NVQ management qualification and a certificate was seen to confirm this qualification.
Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 19 Residents and relatives said that they met regularly with the managers of Alpine Lodge and spoke positively about their approachability and helpfulness. Staff interviewed said they enjoyed working at the home and that they were receiving management supervision on a regular basis. The home had an active quality assurance system. There was evidence of internal auditing of the homes environment, services and records. Staff, resident and relative meetings were held and minutes of these meetings were seen. The home handles money on behalf of some residents. Account sheets were kept, receipts were seen for all transactions and a second individual witnessed all transactions. However, residents’ financial interests were not fully safeguarded because one resident’s personal money account had received only one interest payment since February 2003. The interest accrued must be apportioned to the residents. Records were securely stored around the home, which protected the residents’ best interests and confidentiality. The health and welfare of residents could not be fully protected, as: • Three residents were seen being moved in an unsafe way. Staff were escorting the resident around the home in a wheelchair, which was not fitted with footplates. To minimise the risk of injury footplates must be used (unless risk assessment does not warrant this) when assisting residents to mobilise in their wheelchairs. A risk assessment had not been developed for two of the residents seen. • The inspector saw that two fire extinguishers had been removed from their hooks in the corridor of Ullswater unit and placed out of site in the staff office of that unit. The deputy manager said that this action was taken, as a resident was prone to moving the extinguishers inappropriately. Staff said they had received recent fire safety and other health and safety training .A sample of records showed that staff were receiving this statutory training. Fire records stated that weekly testing of the fire alarm system had occurred. A sample of records showed servicing of the homes utility systems had occurred. At the time of inspection fire exits were clear and window restraints were in situ at first floor windows checked to prevent falls. Hazardous products were safely stored in the home. This will promote the safety and welfare of the service users. Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 20 SCORING OF OUTCOMES
This page summarises the assessment of the extent to which the National Minimum Standards for Care Homes for Older People have been met and uses the following scale. The scale ranges from:
4 Standard Exceeded 2 Standard Almost Met (Commendable) (Minor Shortfalls) 3 Standard Met 1 Standard Not Met (No Shortfalls) (Major Shortfalls) “X” in the standard met box denotes standard not assessed on this occasion “N/A” in the standard met box denotes standard not applicable
CHOICE OF HOME Standard No Score 1 2 3 4 5 6 ENVIRONMENT Standard No Score 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 X X 3 X X N/A HEALTH AND PERSONAL CARE Standard No Score 7 3 8 3 9 2 10 3 11 X DAILY LIFE AND SOCIAL ACTIVITIES Standard No Score 12 2 13 3 14 3 15 2 COMPLAINTS AND PROTECTION Standard No Score 16 3 17 X 18 3 3 X X X X 2 X 2 STAFFING Standard No Score 27 3 28 3 29 3 30 3 MANAGEMENT AND ADMINISTRATION Standard No 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 Score 3 3 3 X 2 X 3 2 Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 21 Are there any outstanding requirements from the last inspection? Yes STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS This section sets out the actions, which must be taken so that the registered person/s meets the Care Standards Act 2000, Care Homes Regulations 2001 and the National Minimum Standards. The Registered Provider(s) must comply with the given timescales. No. 1. 2. Standard OP9 OP9 Regulation 13 13 Requirement Medications must be administered as per the drug instructions. Medications must be retuned safely to pharmacy as soon as possible after the residents’ discharge. Residents must be given the opportunity for stimulation through leisure and recreational activities. Arrangements must be implemented to ensure that residents are orientated to date,time and place. Mealtimes at the home must be restructured to ensure that all residents receive meals at a time convenient to them and in pleasant surroundings. Comfortable pillows must be provided for residents. To minimise the risk of infection all equipment in the home must be kept clean. (Wheelchair) Residents financial interests must be safeguarded by interest being paid on any savings held
DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Timescale for action 01/08/06 01/08/06 3. OP12 12 16 01/08/06 4. OP12 16 01/08/06 5. OP15 16 01/10/06 6. 7. 8. OP24 OP26 OP35 16 23 13 16 01/10/06 01/08/06 01/09/06 Alpine Lodge Nursing Home Version 5.2 Page 22 9. OP38 23 10. OP38 13 on their behalf. Fire equipment must be sited to ensure that there are adequate arrangements for the containing and extinguishing of fire. To minimise the risk of injury footplates must be used (unless risk assessment does not warrant this) when assisting residents to mobilise in their wheelchairs. 01/08/06 01/09/06 RECOMMENDATIONS These recommendations relate to National Minimum Standards and are seen as good practice for the Registered Provider/s to consider carrying out. No. Refer to Standard Good Practice Recommendations Alpine Lodge Nursing Home DS0000021764.V304876.R01.S.doc Version 5.2 Page 23 Commission for Social Care Inspection Sheffield Area Office Ground Floor, Unit 3 Waterside Court Bold Street Sheffield S9 2LR National Enquiry Line: 0845 015 0120 Email: enquiries@csci.gsi.gov.uk Web: www.csci.org.uk
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