Nursing home perfect in review

Indianola Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center recently celebrated what Kris Drake, regional vice-president calls "a really big deal."

He and several other Orianna regional associates visited the nursing home and rewarded the residents and staff with a barbecue cookout Jan. 11.

For the first time in its more than 30-year history, the facility received a deficiency-free survey certification from the Mississippi Department of Health.

"It's just our way of saying thank you," Drake said.

According to Drake, every facility of its kind in the country is subject to an unannounced survey every nine to 15 months. It is normal that five to six deficiencies are found and it is rare to be found deficiency-free, he aid.

The surveyors check for the cleanliness of the rooms and the kitchen, observe the quality of care being administered and even look through the charts and documentation.

In addition, they interview residents, family members and staff and ensure that staff members are able to answer questions. The whole process takes about four days to complete.

"Quality of care is the main issue they're looking for,"?Facility Administrator Shea Danna said.

Drake added that to the best of his knowledge, "Nobody in the area has gotten a deficiency-free in 2016. I guess what I'm saying is it's a really big deal."

Drake maintained that no other facility of the 47 Orianna facilities in the country received a deficiency-free certification.

Drake was joined by Mary Miller, regional nurse consultant; Keith Maddox, regional maintenance director; Nicole Morales, regional business office manager; and Mary Grace Roberts, regional MDS consultant.