CSS Assisted Living Operations Flashcards

What is the purpose of a quality assurance and performance improvement (QAPI) program in senior care facilities?

Answer: Systematically identifying, analyzing, and resolving quality deficiencies to continuously improve resident outcomes

QAPI programs use data collection, root cause analysis, and improvement projects to systematically identify and correct quality problems and prevent recurring deficiencies.

What does the term 'elopement' mean in a senior care setting?

Answer: An unauthorized departure of a cognitively impaired resident from the facility

Elopement occurs when a cognitively impaired resident leaves the facility without authorization, representing a serious safety risk requiring preventive environmental and procedural measures.

Which federal law protects the privacy of senior residents' health information in assisted living and other care settings?

Answer: HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act)

HIPAA establishes national standards for protecting identifiable health information (PHI) and grants patients rights over their records in all healthcare and long-term care settings.

What is the recommended approach when a resident in assisted living makes a high-risk choice such as refusing a prescribed medication?

Answer: Document the refusal, assess capacity, educate about risks, notify the physician, and respect the choice if the resident has capacity

When a capable resident refuses medication, staff should document the refusal, notify the prescribing physician, provide education, and respect the decision—it cannot be overridden without a legal finding of incapacity.

What is a 'resident council' in an assisted living or long-term care facility?

Answer: A resident-led organization that provides a forum for collective input on facility policies and activities

Resident councils are resident-led groups that give residents a formal voice in facility operations, policies, food, activities, and other quality-of-life issues.

What is the significance of background checks for employees working in senior living facilities?

Answer: They screen for criminal history including abuse, neglect, and exploitation to protect vulnerable residents

Background checks in senior care screen for histories of abuse, neglect, and exploitation through state abuse registries and criminal history databases to protect vulnerable older adults.