Nursing home policies on items brought in from the outside for facility residents.
OBJECTIVE
To identify nursing home standards related to items brought in from the community for residents through a nationwide survey of directors of nursing. Specifically we examined the policies with regard to food, cigarettes, alcoholic beverages, and over-the-counter medications.


METHODS
A national survey was distributed online and was completed by 299 directors of nursing of skilled nursing facilities. The directors of nursing were asked about policies regarding whether family and friends of residents are permitted to bring in items such as food, cigarettes, alcohol, and over-the-counter medications. Specifically, questions were related to monitoring, staff involvement, safety precautions, and policy implementation.


RESULTS
The results of the survey demonstrated a consistent policy practiced among facilities. Items commonly restricted for all residents included over-the-counter medications, alcohol, and cigarettes. On the other hand, food was significantly less likely to be restricted.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite overall strict policies regarding the monitoring of access to over-the-counter medications, alcohol, and cigarettes by nursing home residents, ingestion of outside food remains fairly unrestricted. This is especially concerning given the growing number of residents with end-stage congestive heart failure, diabetes, dysphagia, or food allergies where access to outside food could result in an adverse event. Perhaps, facilities need to identify at-risk residents and better communicate to residents and their families regarding dietary restrictions on outside food.
Stefanacci
Richard G
RG
The Institute for Geriatric Studies, Mayes College of Healthcare Business & Policy, University of Sciences in Philadelphia, PA, USA. r.stefan@usp.edu
Lester
Paula E
PE
Kohen
Izchak
I
Feuerman
Martin
M
D000434:Alcoholic Beverages; D005502:Food; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006801:Humans; D004366:Nonprescription Drugs; D009735:Nursing Homes / Q000458:organization & administration*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D014026:Nicotiana; D014481:United States; D014789:Visitors to Patients
D004366:Nonprescription Drugs