There’s no excuse for complacency

Above: Chair of Ageing at Australian Catholic University, Professor Tracey McDonald, introduces the panel discussion at the ACAA NSW Congress

By Yasmin Noone

Here’s a message that goes out to even the best aged care providers in the country – don’t get so confident about the high standard of your facility that you fall behind the eight ball and become non-compliant. 

This warning came from the Chair of Ageing at the Australian Catholic University, Professor Tracey McDonald, as she explained what providers must do to consistently meet the requirements of the accreditation standards, at the Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) NSW Congress last Friday. 

She said that, considering what is involved with safely and efficiently providing care for residents in such a severely regulated environment,  it is easy to see some great organisations are found to be non-compliant by the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency.

But, Prof McDonald said, there is no excuse for complacency when it comes to accreditation. Even the most outstanding aged care facilities can take their eye of the game and accidentally let issues slide by while they focus on other activities.

“Don’t get sucked into a false economy,” she said.   

“Aged care is no game for sissies. The fact that you are sitting here now means that you know that.

“…Just be careful that you don’t let resources diminish [to a point where] you don’t have the resources to deal with the problems.”

Keeping track of every single thing happening within the organisation, she said, is therefore essential.

“You really do need to be sure of what sort of information you need, how it should come to you and how to use it to improve the quality of your systems.

“Plus, you need to know about more [about your organisation] than just service margins.”

Some of the most common issues that eventually lead to non-compliance, according to Prof McDonald, include internal problems (an unusually high number of employees on sick and stress leave), as well as external issues (complaints about the care of residents from family and friends).

Providers must also pay close attention to physical care problems, such as an increased number of falls or wounds.

“They’re the type of things your organisation has to keep on top of and on track.”

“Don’t delay. Get on to your issues fast. Minutes will count on this. Don’t put it off…or you’ll fall behind the eight ball.”

In the unfortunate event that a facility is found to be non-compliant, Prof McDonald advises providers to immediately call their peak body.

“Non-compliances need to be responded to quickly and expertly and effectively if a facility is to emerge from the situation safely and strengthened.

“Call your peak organisation to get advice as they will guide you through the process, hold your hand and get you through it.”

During the discussion, the agency’s NSW/ACT state manager, Ann Wunsch, reminded the audience that the new Accreditation Grant Principles had just come into effect.

The recent review of the accreditation process indicated that a rewrite of the Accreditation Grant Principles was required in order to remove or amend outdated provisions and streamline the accreditation process.

Ms Wunsch said that the new Accreditation Grant Principles 2011 will still require providers to put in the same application for accreditation using the same process, as usual, but now there is no need to submit the self-assessment form with the application.

However, providers must be kept the self-asssessment form on hand for the assessment team to access in case they conduct a site visit.

The new principles have also brought about a change in terminology- facilities will now be deemed as having either “met” or “not met” one or more of the expected outcomes of the accreditation standards.

For more information about the Accreditation Grant Principles 2011, click here.