DAY # 1 -Module 1 (Introduction to Nurse Assistant) 2 Hours

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Module 1: Introduction to Nurse Assistant

Statement of Purpose:

The purpose of this unit is to introduce the student to the California Code of Regulations, Division 5, Title 22, which regulates healthcare facilities, and to introduce the roles and responsibilities of the Nurse Assistant, including requirements for Nurse Assistant certification, professionalism, ethics, and confidentiality.

Please make sure you know the following terminology:

Terminology:

After completing the chapters for this module

Performance Standards (Objectives):

Upon completion of the two (2) hours of class plus homework assignments, the learner will be able to:

  1. Define key terminology.
  2. Discuss the legal implications of the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Division 5, and OBRA.
  3. Identify Nurse Assistant requirements as set forth in Title 22, and OBRA.
  4. Describe the qualities of a successful Nurse Assistant.
  5. Describe the role and responsibilities of the Nurse Assistant.
  6. Describe the professionalism of the Nurse Assistant.
  7. Explain the ethical behavior expected of the Nurse Assistant.
  8. Describe behaviors that maintain confidentiality.

Watch the module lecture below, review the PPT slides, and complete the reading assignments.


Click Here to Watch Module One Presentation


MODULE 1 POWERPOINT


Reading Assignments: 


A) Roles and Responsibilities of a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA)

Ch 1, pp 3-5

B) Title 22, division 5, California Code of Regulations, an overview of California-specific requirements are not included.

C) Requirements for nurse assistant certification California-specific requirements are not included. General requirements are located in Ch 1, p 11; Ch 10, pp 246-247

D) Professionalism-Ch 1, pp 8-10

E) Ethics and confidentiality-Ch 1, pp 10-20


Define the following terms:


long-term care (LTC)-the care given in long-term care facilities for people who need 24-hour skilled care.

skilled care –medically necessary care given by a skilled nurse or therapist.

length of stay-the number of days a person stays in a care facility.

terminal illness-a disease or condition that will eventually cause death.

chronic-long-term or long-lasting.

diagnoses –medical conditions determined by a doctor.

home health care-care that is provided in a person’s home.

assisted living-residences for people who do not need 24-hour skilled care, but do require some help with daily care tasks.

adult day services-care for people who need some help during certain hours, but who do not live in the facility where care is provided.

acute care –24-hour skilled care given in hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers for short-term illnesses or injuries.

subacute care-the care given in hospitals or in long-term care facilities for people who need less care than for an acute illness, but more care than for a chronic illness.

outpatient care- the care given to people who have had treatments, procedures, or surgeries and need short-term skilled care.

rehabilitation – the care that is given by specialists to help restore or improve function after an illness or injury.

hospice care-holistic, compassionate care given to people who have approximately six months or less to live.

Compare long-term care to other healthcare settings

People who live in long-term care facilities

  • May be disabled
  • Are often elderly, although younger adults sometimes require long-term care, too
  • May arrive from hospitals or other healthcare settings
  • Often have chronic health conditions, such as heart disease, physical disabilities, or dementia

REMEMBER:

Long-term care facilities are the residents’ homes. Nursing assistants can help residents feel at home by respecting their space and their privacy.

Define the following term:

activities of daily living (ADLs)-daily personal care tasks such as bathing; dressing; caring for skin, nails, hair, and teeth; eating; drinking; walking; transferring; and elimination.

These services are often provided at long-term care facilities:

  • Assistance with personal care
  • Physical, occupational, and speech therapy
  • Wound care
  • Care of different types of tubes
  • Nutrition therapy
  • Management of chronic diseases

Different long-term care facilities may offer different services

  • Some may offer specialized care for residents with dementia
  • Some may include assisted living facilities
  • If a facility provides specialized care, employees will be specifically trained to provide that care

Define the following terms:

culture change-a term given to the process of transforming services for elders so that they are based on the values and practices of the person receiving care; core values include choice, dignity, respect, self-determination, and purposeful living.

person-centered care –a type of care that places the emphasis on the person needing care and his or her individuality and capabilities.

Think about this question:

The core values of culture change are choice, dignity, respect, self-determination, and purposeful living. What are some things an NA can do to promote these values as he works with residents?

Explain Medicare and Medicaid

Define the following terms:

Medicare-a federal health insurance program for people who are 65 or older, have certain disabilities or permanent kidney failure, or are ill and cannot work.

Medicaid-a medical assistance program for people with low incomes, as well as for people with disabilities.

Transparency 1-1: Facts about Medicare and Medicaid

Medicare

  • Medicare is for people 65 or older and people under 65 who are disabled or ill and cannot work.
  • Part A helps pay for care in a hospital or skilled nursing facility or for care from a home health agency or hospice.
  • Part B helps pay for doctor services and other medical services and equipment.
  • Part C allows private health insurance companies to provide Medicare benefits.
  • Part D helps pay for medications prescribed for treatment.

Medicaid

  • Medicaid is a medical assistance program for people who have a low income, as well as for people with disabilities.
  • People qualify based on income and special circumstances.

Explain Medicare and Medicaid

Residents’ long-term care is often paid for by Medicare or Medicaid. Under Medicare and Medicaid

  • LTC facilities are paid a fixed amount for services
  • Services are based on the resident’s needs upon admission and throughout her stay at the facility

Describe the nursing assistant’s role

Long-term care facilities may use any of the following titles for nursing assistants:

  • Nurse aide
  • Certified nurse aide
  • Patient care technician
  • Certified nursing assistant
  • Nursing assistant (used by this textbook)

Describe the nursing assistant’s role

Define the following term:

charting-documenting information and observations about residents.

Describe the nursing assistant’s role

Nursing assistants perform assigned nursing tasks, such as

  • Measuring and recording temperature
  • Measuring and recording blood pressure
  • Counting and recording pulse and respirations (breathing)
  • Observing and reporting on pain levels

Nursing assistants also provide personal care, including the following:

  • Bathing residents
  • Assisting residents with hair care and other grooming tasks
  • Helping residents dress
  • Helping residents with mouth care
  • Helping residents with elimination needs

The NA’s job also includes the following:

  • Assisting residents to move around safely
  • Keeping residents’ living areas neat and clean
  • Assisting with meals
  • Caring for supplies and equipment
  • Making beds
  • Giving backrubs

NAs are not permitted to do any of the following:

  • Insert or remove tubes
  • Give tube feedings
  • Change sterile dressings

Some states allow NAs to give medications if they have completed an additional, specialized course for medications and meet the requirements of the individual facility.

REMEMBER:

Nursing assistants spend more time with residents than any other care team members. NAs’ observations are very important in making sure residents receive the best possible care. NAs are the “eyes and ears” of the healthcare team.

REMEMBER:

All residents are the responsibility of each nursing assistant. If an NA sees a resident who needs help, she must help—even if the resident is not on her assignment sheet.

Describe the care team and the chain of command

Define the following term:

assistive or adaptive devices-special equipment that helps a person who is ill or disabled to perform activities of daily living.

Resident care is provided by a care team made up of the following team members:

  • Nursing Assistant
  • Registered nurse
  • Licensed practical nurse/licensed vocational nurse
  • Physician or doctor
  • Physical therapist
  • Occupational therapist
  • Speech-language pathologist
  • Registered dietitian
  • Medical social worker
  • Activities director
  • Resident and the resident’s family

REMEMBER:

The care team revolves around the resident and his condition, treatment, and progress. All members should focus on the resident.

Define the following terms:

chain of command-the line of authority within a facility.

liability –a legal term that means someone can be held responsible for harming someone else.

scope of practice-defines the tasks that healthcare providers are legally allowed to do as permitted by state or federal law.

Transparency 1-2: Chain of Command

REMEMBER:

Each state has different laws, but some tasks are never performed by NAs. NAs never make diagnoses or perform procedures involving sterile technique, for example.

An NA must never honor a request to do something outside his scope of practice. Report such requests to the nurse.

Describe the care team and the chain of command

Define the following term:

care plan-a plan developed for each resident to achieve certain goals; it outlines the steps and tasks that the care team must perform.

Remember these points about resident care plans:

  • Individualized for each resident
  • Developed by a nurse to help achieve the goals of care
  • Lists tasks the care team, including the NA, must perform
  • Guide to help the resident be as healthy as possible
  • Careful NA observations and reporting can help make the care plan more effective

Tasks not listed on the care plan should not be performed. If an NA has a question about the care plan, or thinks something is missing, he should talk to his supervisor.

Define policies, procedures, and professionalism

Define the following terms:

Policy is a course of action that should be taken every time a certain situation occurs.

Procedure is a a method or way of doing something.

These policies and procedures are common in LTC facilities:

  • All resident information is confidential.
  • Residents’careplan must be followed.
  • NAs only perform tasks in job descriptions.
  • NAs report to a nurse.
  • NAs should not discuss personal problems with residents or families.
  • NAs should not accept gifts and money from residents or families.
  • NAs must be dependable.

Think about this question:
What should an NA do if she is unsure about a policy or procedure?

Define the following terms:

professional-having to do with work or a job.

personal- relating to life outside one’s job, such as family, friends, and home life.

professionalism-behaving properly when working; it includes how a person dresses, the words he uses, and the things he talks about.

Compassionate-being caring, concerned, considerate, empathetic, and understanding.

 empathy-identifying with the feelings of others.

sympathy-sharing in the feelings and difficulties of others.

tactful-showing sensitivity and having a sense of what is appropriate when dealing with others.

conscientious-guided by a sense of right and wrong; principled.

These points will help NAs keep relationships with residents professional:

  • Provide person-centered care.
  • Be positive.
  • Do only assigned tasks.
  • Keep residents’ information confidential.
  • Be polite and cheerful.
  • Do not discuss personal problems.
  • Do not use a personal phone in residents’ rooms or in resident care areas.
  • Do not use profanity.
  • Listen to residents.
  • Call residents by their preferred, proper names.
  • Do not accept or give gifts.
  • Explain care before providing it.
  • Follow facility’s care practices (such as appropriate handwashing).

NAs can have a professional relationship with an employer by

  • Completing tasks efficiently
    • Following policies/procedures
    • Documenting and reporting carefully
    • Reporting problems
    • Reporting anything that interferes with duties
  • Asking questions
    • Taking direction and criticism
  • Being clean and neatly dressed and groomed
  • Being on time
    • Notifying the employer if absent
    • Following the chain of command
  • Participating in education programs
    • Being a positive role model for the facility

Transparency 1-3: Qualities of Great Nursing Assistants Nursing assistants must be

  • Compassionate
  • Honest
    • Tactful
    • Conscientious
  • Dependable
  • Patient
    • Respectful
    • Unprejudiced
  • Tolerant

Think about this question:

How might an NA demonstrate each of the qualities listed in Transparency 1-3 during her work in a facility?

List examples of legal and ethical behavior and explain Residents’ Rights

Define the following terms:

Ethics-the knowledge of right and wrong.

Laws-rules set by the government to help people live peacefully together and to ensure order and safety.

List examples of legal and ethical behavior and explain Residents’ Rights

NAs should always follow these guidelines for legal and ethical behavior:

  • Be honest at all times.
  • Protect residents’ privacy.
  • Keep staff information confidential.
  • Report abuse or suspected abuse of residents, and assist residents in reporting abuse if they wish to do so.
  • Follow the careplan and your assignments.
  • Do not perform any task outside your scope of practice.
  • Report all resident observations and incidents to the nurse.
  • Document accurately and promptly.
  • Follow rules about safety and infection prevention
  • Do not accept gifts or tips.
  • Do not get personally or sexually involved with residents or their family members or friends.

Define the following terms:

Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act (OBRA)-law passed by the federal government that includes minimum standards for nursing assistant training, staffing requirements, resident assessment instructions, and information on rights for residents.

Cite (or a citation)-in a long-term care facility, to find a problem through a survey.

Residents’ Rights-numerous rights identified in the OBRA law that relate to how residents must be treated while living in a facility; they provide an ethical code of conduct for healthcare workers.

informed consent-the process in which a person, with the help of a doctor, makes informed decisions about his or her health care.

NAs should know these important points about OBRA:

  • Sets minimum standards for NA training (75 hours)
    • Requires competency exam for NAs
    • Requires regular in-service training for NAs (12 hours annually)
  • Establishes state registry of NAs
    • Sets standards that instructors must meet to train NAs
    • Establishes increased minimum staff requirements
    • Outlines minimum services that LTCFs must provide
    • Sets resident assessment requirements (MDS)
    • Requires changes in survey process
    • Outlines Residents’ Rights

Transparency 1-4: Residents’ Rights

Residents have a legal right to

  • Quality of life
  • Services and activities to maintain a high level of wellness
  • Be fully informed regarding rights and services
  • Participate in their own care
  • Make independent choices
  • Privacy and confidentiality
  • Dignity, respect, and freedom
  • Security of possessions
  • Be informed of and consent to transfers and discharges
  • Voice complaints
  • Have visits
  • Have access to social services

The Nursing Assistant in Long-Term Care

Think about this question:
How can NAs work to protect Residents’ Rights?

To protect Residents’ Rights NAs should

  • Never abuse a resident in any way
  • Report suspected abuse
  • Involve residents in planning
  • Always explain procedures before performing them
  • Never unnecessarily expose a resident while giving care
  • Respect a resident’s refusal of care, but report refusal to the nurse
  • Tell the nurse if a resident has questions, concerns, or complaints
  • Be truthful when documenting care
  • Not talk or gossip about residents
  • Knock and wait for permission before entering a resident’s room
  • Not accept gifts or money from residents
  • Not open a resident’s mail or look through her belongings
  • Respect personal possessions
  • Report observations about resident’s condition and care
  • Help resolve disputes by reporting them to the nurse

REMEMBER:

Boundaries are the limits to or within relationships. It is important that NAs treat residents with warmth and caring, but NAs must not become personally involved with residents. Professional boundaries help support a healthy resident-staff relationship.

Think about these questions:

Would everyday decisions seem more important to you if many of your choices were taken away?

Why do you want to make your own decisions? How does this exercise relate to Residents’ Rights?

Define the following terms:

Abuse-purposeful mistreatment that causes physical, mental, or emotional pain or injury to someone.

physical abuse-any treatment, intentional or not, that causes harm to a person’s body.

psychological abuse-emotional harm caused by threatening, scaring, humiliating, intimidating, isolating, or insulting a person, or by treating him as a child.

Verbal abuse-the use of spoken or written words, pictures, or gestures that threaten, embarrass, or insult a person.

Sexual abuse-the forcing of a person to perform or participate in sexual acts against her will; includes unwanted touching, exposing oneself, and sharing pornographic material.

Financial abuse-the improper or illegal use of a person’s money, possessions, property, or other assets.

Assault-a threat to harm a person, resulting in the person feeling fearful that he will be harmed.

Battery-the intentional touching of a person without her consent.

Domestic violence-physical, sexual, or emotional abuse by spouses, intimate partners, or family members.

False imprisonment-unlawful restraint that affects a person’s freedom of movement; includes both the threat of being physically restrained and actually being physically restrained.

Involuntary seclusion-the separation of a person from others against the person’s will.

Workplace violence-verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of staff by other staff members, residents, or visitors.

Sexual harassment-any unwelcome sexual advance or behavior that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working environment.

Substance abuse-the repeated use of legal or illegal substances in a way that is harmful to oneself or others.

Neglect-the failure to provide needed care that results in physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person.

Active neglect-the purposeful failure to provide needed care, resulting in harm to a person.

Passive neglect-the unintentional failure to provide needed care, resulting in physical, mental, or emotional harm to a person.

Negligence-actions, or the failure to act or provide the proper care, that result in unintended injury to a person.

Malpractice-injury to a person due to professional misconduct through negligence, carelessness, or lack of skill.

Transparency 1-5: Suspicious Injuries

The following injuries are considered suspicious and should be reported:

  • Poisoning or traumatic injury
  • Teeth marks
  • Belt buckle or strap marks
  • Bruises, contusions, or welts
  • Scars
  • Fractures or dislocation
  • Burns, including cigarette burns and scalds
  • Scratches or puncture wounds
  • Scalp tenderness or patches of missing hair
  • Swelling in the face, broken teeth, or nasal discharge
  • Bruises, bleeding, or discharge from the vaginal area

Signs that could indicate abuse include the following:

  • Yelling obscenities
  • Fear, apprehension, or fear of being alone
  • Poor self-control
  • Constant pain
  • Threatening to hurt others
  • Withdrawal or apathy
  • Alcohol or drug abuse
  • Agitation, anxiety, or signs of stress
  • Low self-esteem
  • Mood changes, confusion, or disorientation
  • Private conversations are not allowed, or the family member/caregiver is present during all conversations
  • Reports of questionable care by resident or her family

Signs that could indicate neglect include the following:

  • Pressure injuries
  • Unclean body
  • Body lice
  • Unanswered call lights
  • Soiled bedding or incontinence briefs not being changed
  • Poorly-fitting clothing
  • Unmet needs relating to hearing aids, eyeglasses, etc.
  • Weight loss, poor appetite
  • Uneaten food
  • Dehydration
  • Fresh water or beverages not being offered regularly
  • Reports of not receiving prescribed medication by the resident or her family

Who is Vulnerable to Abuse or Neglect?

Some people are more vulnerable to adult abuse or neglect than others. They include the following:

  • Elderly people
  • People who have a physical illness or are disabled
  • People who are developmentally disabled
  • People who have a mental health disorder or condition
  • People with communication problems, such as hearing, speech, and vision impairments

All of these people have a few things in common that make them so vulnerable. They are often unable to stand up for themselves or to report abuse or neglect to others. They may not even understand that they have rights. Often these people can be much more demanding to care for, which increases the stress that caregivers have to deal with.

Caregivers may not have been properly trained to care for these particular people, and they may not understand why these people behave the way they do. Caregivers may also be overworked, tired, stressed, and unappreciated, on top of caring for someone who requires so much time and energy.

These are the people who most need your help and protection from harm.

They may not be able to speak for themselves, but the signs of abuse and neglect may speak volumes for them. Know how to recognize these signs.

Think about these questions:
Why are these people so vulnerable?

How are Residents’ Rights related to abuse, and to the NA’s responsibility to protect residents from abuse?

REMEMBER:

NAs must never abuse residents in any way, and must report any suspected abuse. Reporting suspected abuse is the law. NAs must follow the chain of command when reporting abuse.

Define the following term:

Ombudsman-is a a legal advocate for residents in long-term care facilities; helps resolve disputes and settle conflicts.

These are the typical tasks of an ombudsman:

  • Advocates for residents’ rights
  • Educates consumers and care providers
  • Investigates and resolves complaints
  • Appears in court
  • Works with investigators
  • Gives information to public

Facilities often have Residents’ Councils, which exist for these purposes:

  • Meet regularly to discuss issues related to the care facility
  • Give residents a voice in facility operations
  • Provide a forum to discuss policies, activities, concerns, and problems
  • Allow residents to provide suggestions on improving the quality of care at the facility

Define the following terms:

Confidentiality – is the legal and ethical principle of keeping information private.

Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) – is a federal law that requires health information be kept private and secure and that organizations take special steps to protect this information.

Protected health information (PHI)– a person’s private health information, which includes name, address, telephone number, social security number, email address, and medical record number.

REMEMBER:

HIPAA applies to all healthcare providers, including nursing assistants. Serious penalties can be imposed for not adhering to HIPAA’s guidelines.

These guidelines are essential to protecting residents’ privacy:

  • Listen to or read messages in a private area.
  • Know with whom you are speaking on the phone.
  • Do not talk about residents in public.
  • Use confidential rooms for reports to care team members.
  • Be careful greeting resident’s family members in public.
  • Do not bring family or friends to the facility to meet residents.
  • Make sure health or personal information on a computer screen is not visible to others; be sure to log out after finishing computer work.
  • Do not give confidential information in emails.
  • Do not share resident information, photos, or videos on any social networking site.
  • Make sure fax numbers are correct before faxing, and use a cover sheet with a confidentiality statement.
  • Do not leave documents where others may see them.
  • Store, file, or shred documents according to facility policy. If you find documents with a resident’s information on them, give them to the nurse.

Think about these questions:

How does confidentiality affect an NA’s use of social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.)?

What would be an illegal use of social media (in terms of confidentiality)? A legal use?

Is everything that is legal also ethical and professional?

  1. Explain legal aspects of the resident’s medical record

Careful, timely documentation is important because it

  • Guarantees clear and complete communication
  • Provides a legal record of treatment
  • Protects the NA and employer
  • Provides an up-to-date record of the resident’s status

REMEMBER:

If an NA does not document care, legally it was not done.

NAs must follow these guidelines for documentation:

  • Document care immediately after it is given.
  • Think before documenting. Be brief and clear.
  • Use facts, not opinions.
  • Use black ink when documenting by hand.
  • Correct errors properly (see Figure 1-17 in text).
  • Sign full name and title.
  • Document according to the care plan.

For computer/electronic documentation, NAs must follow these general guidelines:

  • Always ask questions when needed. Even when electronic documentation is required, training often includes how to document by hand in case of system failure.
  • Legal documentation rules apply to both electronic and paper medical charts.
  • HIPAA privacy guidelines apply to electronic documentation.
  • Do not have anyone else enter information for you.
  • Make sure you are logged in to the correct resident’s chart. Log out when finished.
  • Make sure autofill entries are accurate.
  • Treat computers carefully.
  • Do not use facility computers to browse the internet or access any personal accounts.

Define the following term:

Minimum Data Set (MDS) – is a detailed form with guidelines for assessing residents in long-term care facilities; also lists what to do if resident problems are identified.

NAs should know the following about the MDS:

  • Helps nurses complete resident assessments accurately
  • Details what to do if resident problems are identified
  • Must be completed for each resident within 14 days of admission and again each year
  • Must be reviewed every three months
  • New MDS must be done when there is any major change in the resident’s condition.

REMEMBER:

  • Nursing assistants have a key role in observing and reporting resident changes. NAs’ observations can trigger a new MDS to be completed, ensuring the resident receives the best possible care.

Incident -is an accident, problem, or unexpected event during the course of care that is not part of the normal routine in a healthcare facility.

  1. Discuss incident reports

All of the following events are considered incidents:

  • Falls
  • Damage to facility equipment or resident belongings
  • Mistakes in care
  • Requests outside scope of practice
  • Sexual advances or remarks
  • Anything that makes an NA feel uncomfortable or unsafe
  • Injuries
  • Blood or body fluids exposure

When making an incident report the NA should

  • Tell what happened.
  • Describe the person’s reaction to the incident.
  • State facts only.
  • Do not document that an incident report was completed on the medical record.
  • Describe the action taken.

After completing the module, please proceed to the quiz. You must  CLICK THE MARK COMPLETE BUTTON in order to proceed to the quiz

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