Long-Term Care Survey Alert

Find out what's really on people's minds in time to turn things around.

Here's a sampling of the interview questions used in the Quality Indicator Survey -- ones that any facility can use to identify potential shortfalls in its quality of care and life.

RESIDENT INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Personal Property

1) Have you had any missing personal items, such as clothing, jewelry, a radio, money, etc? If Yes: Can you tell me what is missing and for how long? Do you have any idea of what might have happened to the item(s)?

2) (If yes): Did you report the missing property to staff?

3) Is the property still missing?

Pain

1) Do you have any discomfort now or have you been having discomfort such as pain, heaviness, burning, or hurting with no relief?

Food Quality

1) Does the food taste good and look appetizing?

2) Is the food served at the proper temperature?

Hydration

1) Do you receive the fluids you want between meals?

Sufficient Staff

1) Do you feel there is enough staff available to make sure you get the care and assistance you need without having to wait a long time?

Privacy

1) Does staff provide you privacy when they work with you, changing your clothes, providing treatment?

2) Do you have privacy when on the telephone?

3) If you would have a visitor, do you have a private place to meet?

FAMILY INTERVIEW QUESTIONS:

Choices

1) Does the facility honor [resident's name]'s preferences and previous life routines, such as when to get up and go to sleep or when to take a bath?

2) Does the facility honor [resident's name]'s preferences on what he/she eats or drinks?

3) Does the facility honor [resident's name]'s preferences on how he/she is dressed or groomed? (For example, choice of outfit, dress vs. slacks, mustache, hairstyle, etc.?)

Activities

1) Does staff encourage [resident's name] to attend activities and provide assistance to attend them?

Source: Excerpted from the resident and family interviews at http://www.uchsc.edu/hcpr/qis_tab_5.php.