Failure to Provide Required Effective Communication Training to Direct Care Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that six randomly selected direct care staff members, including an LPN and five CNAs, received the required training on effective communication as outlined in the facility's in-service training policy. The policy mandates that all staff, including new and existing personnel, must participate in initial orientation and annual in-service training, with effective communication being a required topic for direct care staff. During the survey, the facility was unable to provide documentation verifying that these staff members had completed the necessary training on effective communication. Interviews with the Nursing Home Administrator (NHA) confirmed the absence of documentation for the required training and acknowledged the ongoing issue with staff education. The NHA indicated that there was no further documentation available for the selected staff and recognized the need for a designated training coordinator. This lack of documented training had the potential to affect all 39 residents in the facility, as staff competency in effective communication is essential for quality resident care.