Epworth Villa Health Services

Ensure that a nursing home area is free from accident hazards and provides adequate supervision to prevent accidents.

Try different approaches before using a bed rail. If a bed rail is needed, the facility must (1) assess a resident for safety risk; (2) review these risks and benefits with the resident/representative; (3) get informed consent; and (4) Correctly install and maintain the bed rail.

Ensure meals and snacks are served at times in accordance with resident’s needs, preferences, and requests. Suitable and nourishing alternative meals and snacks must be provided for residents who want to eat at non-traditional times or outside of scheduled meal times.

Develop and implement a complete care plan that meets all the resident's needs, with timetables and actions that can be measured.

Add doors in an exit area that do not require the use of a key from the exit side unless in case of special locking arrangements.

Ensure that special areas are constructed so that walls can resist fire for one hour or have an approved fire extinguishing system.

Install smoke barrier doors that can resist smoke for at least 20 minutes.

Install emergency lighting that can last at least 1 1/2 hours.