New Grad + JCAHO in ED = Could get Ugly, Help!

[RNcDreams]

Hi!

I'm a new grad in the ED, and JCAHO is due soon.... I'm scared. I know that I need to be ready to say "I don't know but I will find out and get back to you " or "I would check the policy book or ask my preceptor" ...be careful with medicating people and don't have food at the desk.. but the idea of a surveyor standing over me makes me think I might clam up. What's some pointers/experiences you've had with JCAHO in the ED?

[mom2michael, MSN, RN, NP]

Know your SBAR, know Core Measures, know where you keep PPE. Keep food and drinks away from the desk or areas in which you store medications and/or body fluids. Wash your hands more than you normally do.

Anything you aren't sure of....the good standard answer is....let me refer back to the P&P to find the answer you are looking for....then know where the P&P are kept.

Don't ever say....I don't know and stare at them blankly.

We've had several "mock" surveys lately and those have been what they have hounded the most with us. We too are excepting the "big boys" to come in the next couple of weeks for a real survey.

[RNcDreams]

Know your SBAR, know Core Measures, know where you keep PPE. Keep food and drinks away from the desk or areas in which you store medications and/or body fluids. Wash your hands more than you normally do.

Anything you aren't sure of....the good standard answer is....let me refer back to the P&P to find the answer you are looking for....then know where the P&P are kept.

Don't ever say....I don't know and stare at them blankly.

We've had several "mock" surveys lately and those have been what they have hounded the most with us. We too are excepting the "big boys" to come in the next couple of weeks for a real survey.

What are core measures?

[neneRN, BSN, RN]

Had our JCAHO visit a couple of months ago...they focused on safety measures like labeling IV sites, IVPBs, and IVF, code cart checklists, IV pump safety features, documentation of suicide risk, and Risk Management education (they randomly pulled staff education files to see if it was up to date)...those are the ones that stick out as issues direct staff were asked about. Oh, and they had us do a walkthrough disaster drill...talk about stressful...but that was the worst of it and really only involved supervisors. They will not pull staff away from patient care to answer questions, but will grab anyone they see who doesn't look busy. The questions they asked bedside staff are fairly simple if you know their safety goals OR know where to find the answer if you don't know it. Our staff was pretty well coached about the answers they were looking for way in advance, we had little laminated cards behind our badges as cheat sheets-JCAHO does not care if you have to read something to give an answer.