Quality Inspections & Capital Equipment: What Inspectors Look for, and What Directors of Care Should Know

In this post, we share the top reasons Ontario LTC facilities are found to be non-compliant during annual quality inspections, and how your capital equipment plays a role.

As a facility operator, you have likely already experienced one or more compliance audits from certified inspectors.

Since the Long-Term Care Home Quality Inspection Program (LQIP) was implemented by Ontario’s Ministry of Health, all homes are inspected at least once per year. The purpose is to improve quality for residents while ensuring facilities comply with the regulations as set out in the Long-Term Care Homes Act.

Overview of LQIP Inspections

As a reminder, the inspections include:

• Infection prevention and control
• Medication
• Residents’ council interviews
• Family council interviews
• Dining Inspection Protocol

If a facility is found to be non-compliant in some regard, there are different actions based on the severity of harm, scope of harm, and the home’s history of compliance.

Actions include:

• Voluntary plan of correction
• Compliance order
• Work and activity orders
• Written notification and referral to the Director

Many instances of non-compliance carry monetary fines as well.

Capital Equipment: What Do Inspectors Look For?

Equipment such as beds and bed rails, lift systems, tubs, and more play a large role in a safe, compliant facility. Their safe and effective operation can influence a home’s inspection results in multiple categories being looked at by inspectors.

Most Common Non-Compliance Issues During LQIP Inspections

According to reports from AdvantAge Ontario, the most common non-compliance issues pertaining to medical equipment include:

• Falls prevention and management
• Bed rails
• Safe positioning
• Bathing
• Safe and secure homes overall

How Can You Make Sure Your Equipment Doesn’t Pose a Non-Compliance Risk?

As service and product providers in this sector, we help facilities comply as part of our routine servicing. For the past several years, we have been providing rail compliance solutions and other services to LTC facilities in Ontario and across Canada.

With rail compliance specifically, this can be difficult to implement due to lack of staffing or staff that do not have the experience spotting and correcting issues in all 7 zones of compliance for hospital bed rails. By working with a partner already engaged with your facility for service, this helps reduce your risk of non-compliance during inspections.

Seven Zones of Entrapment for Bed Rail Compliance in LTC

Want to Learn More, or Book a Service Appointment?

If you are a Director of Care and need help assessing compliance risk for capital equipment, or want to properly train your team on rail compliance, get in touch with us to schedule a consult.

Reach out to the SFI Medical team for help! We’re always available to assist with your equipment needs. You can always reach us by phone (1-888-734-4575) or email (info@sfimedical.com).