Night Visit Audit - Care Homes
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- Q1: Is the night visit documented with date, time, staff present, and duration of visit?
- Q2: Is the senior person in charge clearly identified and aware of their responsibilities during the night shift?
- Q3: Is the staff allocation and rota for the night clear, appropriate, and aligned with residents’ needs and dependency levels?
- Q4: Have staff breaks been scheduled fairly, and are they monitored to ensure safe coverage of care during rest periods?
- Q5: Are staff aware of emergency procedures, including fire, falls, and medical escalation protocols during night hours?
- Q6: Are there any unpleasant odours in the home, particularly near communal areas, bathrooms, or resident bedrooms?
- Q7: Is the home quiet and calm, with no excessive noise, shouting, or disruptive behaviours reported or observed?
- Q8: Are all residents appropriately settled, safe, and comfortable in their rooms or communal spaces?
- Q9: Are residents who are awake receiving appropriate supervision, reassurance, and care?
- Q10: Is lighting at night appropriate for safety and sleep (e.g., dim in hallways, bright in nursing stations)?
- Q11: Is the temperature throughout the home appropriate and consistent, with no hot or cold spots?
- Q12: Are windows secure, and are environmental checks (e.g., fire doors, call bells, exits) completed and documented?
- Q13: Are call bells accessible, functioning, and responded to in a timely manner?
- Q14: Are staff presentable and wearing appropriate PPE (including face masks if required by IPC guidance)?
- Q15: Are staff alert, responsive, and engaging respectfully with residents and visitors (if any)?
- Q16: Are fluid jugs available and within reach for residents who are awake or have night-time fluid requirements?
- Q17: Are continence needs being met, and are checks conducted with dignity and appropriate frequency?
- Q18: Is repositioning/turning of residents done in line with care plans and documented accurately in turning charts?
- Q19: Is the fluid balance chart completed correctly and in line with each resident’s plan of care?
- Q20: Are all MAR charts for night medication up to date, complete, and stored securely?
- Q21: Have all medications due at night (including PRN) been administered appropriately and recorded accurately?
- Q22: Are wound dressings and pressure-relieving equipment (e.g., air mattresses) checked and functioning?
- Q23: Are night domestic or cleaning duties completed or in progress with minimal disruption to residents?
- Q24: Are kitchen and food storage areas secure, clean, and compliant with food safety standards?
- Q25: Are laundry areas tidy and machines safely operated if used overnight?
- Q26: Have staff raised any clinical concerns or safeguarding issues during the shift, and were these escalated appropriately?
- Q27: Is there evidence of meaningful staff engagement with residents who are awake or distressed?
- Q28: Is a handover system in place for early staff or agency relief, and is it prepared and thorough?
- Q29: Are agency staff present, and are they familiar with residents and supported by permanent staff?
- Q30: Have any incidents (e.g., falls, aggression, deterioration) occurred, and are they documented with appropriate actions?
- Q31: Are any DoLS or night-time restrictions (e.g., sensor mats, locked doors) in place and reviewed for proportionality?
- Q32: Is CCTV, where used, operating as expected and aligned with privacy and data protection policies?
- Q33: Are staff aware of and compliant with night-time infection prevention and control measures (e.g., zoned areas)?
- Q34: Are night-time charts (fluid, repositioning, bowel, observation) signed, complete, and legible?
- Q35: Are any night admissions, discharges, or end-of-life care situations documented and supported compassionately?
- Q36: Is there evidence that night leadership (e.g., nurse in charge) is monitoring standards and mentoring junior staff?
- Q37: Are shift leaders aware of audit findings, previous night visit outcomes, and follow-up actions?
- Q38: Is staff morale during the night observed and discussed, with any issues escalated?
- Q39: Is there a record of any complaints or compliments related to night care?
- Q40: Have any required improvements from previous visits been addressed and sustained?
- Q41: Is a summary discussion held with the senior person in charge before completing the visit?
- Q42: Are new concerns raised during the visit clearly documented with follow-up actions identified?
- Q43: Is the visit recorded, signed, and submitted for governance review and any necessary escalation?