How to read a comprehensive inspection report from the Welfare Ministry

The sections of the report, in the order they are printed

1. תוכן העניינים

   Contents: what was inspected this time

   A list of 13–15 chapters. A note «לא נבדק במועד זה» by a chapter means that it was not inspected this time. The topics are chosen by the inspector, so the set of chapters inspected differs from report to report.

   How to use it: Start here. For a chapter that was not inspected there are no conclusions — look at it in the home’s previous report on the card.

2. התייחסות היחידה המפוקחת

   The home’s reply: what was corrected

   A letter from the home’s director in reply to the inspection; the Welfare Ministry puts it in the report before the chapters. Often it is a list by points: what has been corrected, what is in progress (for example, «new call buttons were installed»). These are the home’s words; the Welfare Ministry did not check them in this report. It is in about six reports out of ten.

   How to use it: Check the points against the answers «לא» and «חלקית» in the chapters. Ask the home whether what was «in progress» has been done.

3. סיכום הפעילות

   The inspector’s summary

   A connected text of half a page: how many residents (referred by social services and private), whether it is clean, how food and activities are, whether the deficiencies of earlier inspections have been corrected. It is in fewer than half of the reports, mainly in the Haifa and North districts.

   How to use it: If there is a summary, read it first, then the chapters it names.

4. נושא 1 : תזונה

   Food and observation of meals

   Whether food samples are kept, whether portions are enough, whether the menu matches what is served, whether there is a choice and light food by day and by night. In the second part, «תצפית על ארוחה», the inspector watches a meal in person: places, dishes, atmosphere, water and spices on the tables.

   How to use it: Look for «לא», «חלקית» and remarks in the third column. Ask whether there is a choice of dishes and a menu in a language your relative understands.

5. נושא 2 : טיפול באירועים חריגים

   Incidents: falls, violence, was the family told

   Whether an incident file is kept, whether the procedure is known, whether staff are trained, whether the incident was reported to the inspector, the social worker and a relative or guardian («האם האירוע החריג דווח לבן משפחה/ אפוטרופוס?»), whether repeats are reviewed. At the start there may be a general remark by the inspector.

   How to use it: Find the line about informing a relative. Ask the home how and by when it informs the family about a fall or an incident.

6. נושא 3 : תשתיות וציוד

   Building, rooms, call button

   Common areas, toilet and shower, the call button — whether it works and can be reached («קיום אמצעי תקין ונגיש לקריאת חירום?»), residents’ rooms: cleanliness, bed, linen, wardrobe with a lock, personal belongings, heating. The last question — whether the residents’ rights and the inspector’s phone number are posted on the board.

   How to use it: Look for «לא» in «חדרי דיירים» and at the call button, and also for the words «הערה חוזרת» — a repeated remark. When you visit, press the call button in the room.

7. נושא 4 : טיפוח וניקיון

   Cleanliness and condition of the building

   Five questions: cleanliness of the entrance and common areas, lighting, and «רמת התחזוקה של המבנה» — the condition of the building in one word: «תקינה» (in order) or «טעונת שיפור» (needs improvement). Cleanliness of rooms is in the chapter on the building.

   How to use it: Read together with the rooms from the chapter on the building. The answer «טעונת שיפור» is rare, so it stands out.

8. נושא 5 : תפוסה/ היקף פעילות

   How many residents and is there a contract

   How many residents on the day of the visit, of them referred by social services («דיירי רווחה») and private, who left in the past six months for reasons other than health, refusals of admission. «יש בתיק הסכם מעון דייר» — whether the file has a signed resident’s contract. Inspectors fill in the answer about exceeding the quota in different ways.

   How to use it: Compare the number of residents with the previous report. The number of places by licence is not here — ask the home.

9. נושא 6 : מאפייני מקבלי השירות

   Who lives there and what happens if their condition worsens

   Whether residents suit the home’s purpose (independent, frail; those dependent on nursing care — only with special permission), how many people are changing status and waiting for a «code» from the Ministry of Health, that is, a transfer to nursing care.

   How to use it: Ask the home what happens when a resident becomes dependent on care: a move to another ward or to another home.

10. איוש כח האדם והתאמתו

    Staff: posts, police certificates, who was present

    Whether there is a director and what training he or she has, whether all specialist posts are filled, whether new employees have a police certificate of no convictions and no sexual offences, how many senior staff have left. «נוכחות עובדים» — whether on the day of the visit there was as much staff as required.

    How to use it: Look for «לא» at the police certificates and at staff presence. Ask the home about staff at night and about turnover.

11. נושא 8 : התנהלות כללית של המסגרת

    Complaints and the residents’ voice

    Whether there is a file of complaints from residents and relatives and whether their resolution is followed, whether residents’ meetings are held, whether there is a residents’ committee, how a resident is discharged. Many homes have no residents’ committee.

    How to use it: If the complaints file has «לא», ask the home how to make a complaint and who is responsible for it.

12. נושא 9 : תכנית ההתערבות

    A personal plan for each resident

    The inspector opens 3–5 personal files: the initial assessment, records of meetings, whether the plan suits the resident’s needs, whether the file has a copy of the contract. This is a sample, not all residents.

    How to use it: The answer «חלקית» is a reason to ask how the plan for your relative will be drawn up and reviewed.

13. נושא 10 : שאלות מידע לעו"ס

    Social worker: family, power of attorney, protection from violence

    How many residents are in individual and group work, whether there is contact with families, whether everyone who wishes has a lasting power of attorney («ייפוי כח מתמשך»), guardians, staff training against violence, whether the violence committees meet («וועדות אלימות»).

    How to use it: Ask the home’s social worker how he or she keeps in touch with the family and helps to draw up a power of attorney.

14. נושא 11 : בטיחות

    Safety of the building and the entrance

    Handrails and anti-slip strips, emergency lighting, cleaning products and medicines out of reach, an expert’s certificate on building safety, a resuscitation cart with oxygen, entrance control, an alarm button. This chapter is often not inspected, and even in an inspected one many answers are «לא נבדק בביקור».

    How to use it: Do not draw conclusions from the absence of «לא». Ask the home about the safety certificate and evacuation drills.

15. נושא 13 : פעילות תרבות

    Leisure and activities

    A weekly programme: whether it is posted, whether it matches what actually happens, activities in the morning and after lunch, an activity for those who do not want to join a group, outings, meetings with families, how many residents take part. Next there is often the chapter «תעסוקה במסגרת»: hours of the physiotherapist and speech therapist, observation in the activity room.

    How to use it: Compare the programme with what you see on a visit. Ask about outings and about activities for those who do not go to the group.