Case Study
Transformational impact on a struggling care home
A less than ‘Good’ rating can adversely impact your care home’s reputation and it is highly likely that you’ll lose new business as a result. You may have to wait another six months or more before your care home gets a chance to be re-inspected. In that time, the relationships with families of existing residents could start to suffer, and you may also lose the morale of your staff members who work hard to provide the best care possible.
A care home got in touch with Fulcrum after facing significant challenges following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
What issue did the care home have?
A recent inspection at the care home revealed multiple issues with the governance systems and documentation. The CQC identified shortfalls within the service, particularly related to the oversight of staff files – with the CQC cautioning the home that they might receive a warning notice if the issues were not addressed promptly and effectively.
A separate visit by the Performance Assessment and Monitoring Management System (PAMMS) also highlighted additional issues.
How did Fulcrum Care help?
Faced with the imminent risk of a warning notice, the care home’s provider sought the expertise of Fulcrum, who promptly conducted a comprehensive audit of the care home and identified further issues beyond what the CQC and PAMMS had previously discovered.
To address the identified problems and create a sustainable path towards improvement, Fulcrum devised a detailed service plan, which included the implementation of a clear auditing schedule and regular monitoring and assessments. The care home now benefits from a robust medication audit and staff file audit tool, enhancing accountability and accuracy in medication management and staff documentation.
What were the results for the care home?
The concerted efforts and strategic interventions made by Fulcrum led to a positive turn around in the care home’s operations and governance. A meeting was organised between the care home, the CQC, and Fulcrum, during which the CQC was impressed with the provider’s swift response to the issues and their initiative in reaching out for external help, and therefore, choosing not to impose a warning notice.
Regular meetings with staff were initiated to discuss required improvements and obtain feedback, fostering a positive and collaborative working environment. The care home now has a well-structured service improvement plan in place, guiding its continuous efforts towards providing high-quality care.
Fulcrum Care continues to support the care home for three days a week, aiding in the successful turnaround of the service. The provider’s satisfaction with the results achieved has led them to engage Fulcrum Care to conduct an audit at another one of their care services.