A Hove care home has been given a week to explain to the official regulator how it will tackle shortcomings.
Knoll House, in Ingram Crescent West, Hove, was criticised in a report published today (Tuesday 23 April) by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The home, which is run by Brighton and Hove City Council, was told that it was not meeting the required standard in the way that it handled people’s personal records.
The CQC said that people’s personal records, including medical records, should be accurate and kept safe and confidential.
At Knoll House the CQC said that people were not protected from the risks of unsafe or inappropriate care and treatment.
It said that the impact was minor on the people being cared for at the home which can look after up to 20 adults.
The home caters for adults with a physical disability and older people who need short-term intermediate care after being discharged from hospital or to prevent them from being admitted to hospital.
The report followed an inspection in January. And the January inspection was a follow-up visit to check compliance after the watchdog inspected the home last September after concerns had been raised.
The CQC said: “People’s personal records including medical records were not all accurate and fit for purpose.”
Gaps
It said that records were not always kept securely and they could not always be found promptly when they were needed.
The watchdog said: “We looked at a sample of records such as care planning documents, daily notes, handover notes, administration of medication documentation, incidents and accidents records, complaints records, staff training records, minutes of meetings held, the results of audits and quality assurance undertaken.”
During the latest inspection five care records were checked. The CQC said: “We found the records had gaps and poor recording in places, which potentially could lead to care delivery being missed.”
It also found that records that should be kept in people’s rooms were in some cases being kept outside their room on a handrail.
During the inspection the CQC checked on the care and welfare of those staying at Knoll House and how medicines were managed. In both areas the care home met the standard required.
But it did not meet the required standard for keeping personal and medical records safe and confidential.
The report said: “The provider must send CQC a report that says what action they are going to take to meet these essential standards.”
Knoll House was given until next Tuesday (30 April) to send its action plan to the CQC.
