VALIDATION FEEDBACK

Below is feedback from some of our clients who have recently gone through validation

Question 12, Part 12, loss:

• Ensure the directive has a diagnosis related to it.
• At one facility a resident was wearing skin protectors for when they were in a lifter and despite the fact that they had a chronic skin breakdown in this area, there was no GP diagnosis.
• This highlights the importance of having a good working relationship with the GP’s!

Question 12, Part 4a, downgrade:

• Ensure directives are in detail and specify techniques used.
• At one facility the assessments and directives had been completed and an RN was doing the treatments, but because the directive was not in detail and did not specify the techniques used the validator decided there was no difference in the complexity between treatments by the RN and the Carer – so the Part 4a constituted a Part 3.
• If there was a treatment record which showed contrast between the two types of treatment it would have substantiated the claim.

Question 12, Part 4a, downgrade:

• At one facility a physiotherapist was providing treatment for 20 minutes with a hot pack. The validator did not deem this treatment to meet the requirement of ‘therapeutic massage’ or to be using ‘technical equipment specifically designed for pain management’ so it was downgraded to a Part 3.
• However, the validator pointed out that if the physiotherapist was using a hydrocollator hot pack (clay hot packs that you boil) it would have been considered using technical equipment.

Other general feedback:

• Ensure that all substantiating documentation is included in the pack (e.g. pain charts, the directive, skin integrity assessments, documented diagnosis etc).
• Simple task assessments are being completed by some validators (e.g. timing of medication rounds)
• One validator contracted as a consultant suggested that the treatment record should be one per individual resident with the directive transcribed onto it, so that the signature actually indicates that it was their treatment being signed off on and not something else.

For more information on this service, or for a full colour poster on this material, please contact Wellness & Lifestyles on 8331 3000 or