can someone answer me pretty please!!!

They will probably ask about pt identifiers before med admin.

They'll want to know in what ways your unit is taking measures to ensure pt safety.

They're going to look for things like uncovered drinks, food in the work area, hippa violations, etc.

Those are a few.

Never say I don't know when you can't answer a question, tell them "Let me find that out for you", then go find out the answer, quickly!

They're there to help, so don't freak out when they show up.

Good Luck!

Never say I don't know when you can't answer a question, tell them "Let me find that out for you", then go find out the answer, quickly!

When I was doing my CNA training, the hospital was expecting an immediate visit from JCAHCO. Although the students would be steered away from JCAHCO. there was always the chance that we would be caught and had to answer. Of course, the best answer that we could give was Zenfeck's. We couldn't go wrong with that one!

Remember privacy,infection control and dignity in all that you do and monitor to make sure the cna's are doing so... Never answer a question with "I don't know" instead say" I'm not sure about that but I'll find the answer and get back to you" Know where your policy and procedure manuals are and refer to them as needed. They may monitor a med pass (in my experience only for a short time-not the entire med pass) They may ask you about a particular resident-if you don't know the answer get the care plan.Try to relax-if the staff freaks out the residents feel it and then they start acting out...We have mock surveys on amonthly basis and we recently had a consultant come in and do the same.If your nursing admin is doing their jobs then you will be doing things the way they should be done and you'll be fine (a few years ago our med passes were hellacious and we were often non compliant-now each unit has 2 med carts and nurses to push them-it's a beautiful thing)

Never answer a question with "I don't know" instead say" I'm not sure about that but I'll find the answer and get back to you" Know where your policy and procedure manuals are and refer to them as needed.

I've never experienced a state review as a nurse, but I've experienced a JCAHO inspection as a pharmacy technician in an acute hospital. I couldn't agree or stress any more with what the others have said. The inspectors may not necessarily be looking for you to spout out the right answer, but you need to be able to utilize your resources in a timely manner to find the right answer. I know that in our inspection the pharmacy department got busted for having food/drinks in the preparation area. And I also remember they were really focusing on what the pharmacy and nursing staff were doing to communicate about distinguishing between sound alike/ look alike drugs (for example: rifampin / rifaximin or metronidazole 500 mg/ metformin 500 mg) The inspectors came up to a nurse and asked her what the pharmacy and nursing staff to do prevent errors with confusing these meds. She said, "I don't know" - an automatic "ding" for both nursing and pharmacy - when all she had to do was walk into the nurse's station and look at the sheet hanging on the wall to answer the question. I also remember they focused on HIPAA HIPAA HIPAA! Good luck! Honestly, I got all uptight and stressed about the upcoming inspection. When it came down to it, it wasn't that bad!!

HI,

I had the state come into my facility at 3 AM .

She picked up my MAR chart,went down the hall and checked to see if the patients were wearing all asssistive devices ordered in their care plans. I had one lady that wasn't. It was so cool,this lady is with it and she is supposed to wear a brace in the evening,she was awake and watching tv and when the lady from the state asked her if we made sure she was wearing it or did the nurse forget to check to make sure it is on?she replied" I'll wear it if I feel like it."

I had one more incident where the state dropped by. I was in a pt room starting an IV,this lady walks in and says I want to observe"

I asked if she was a family member or a friend" "she says no i'm from the state" My reply " i'm going to need to see an ID,I have to protect my pts privacy" her mouth opened, she was shocked. I thought she was going to fall down. I know I sound a little immature but I don't care,it was a great moment. Nurse's take the blame for an awful lot and most of the time we are in the right and doing our jobs as best we can..

S tortis

Most of my experience has been with JCAHO who is focused on safety and patient care, not the State Board of Examiners who is focused on licensure. I would do for them what is best you can do for JCAHO. Make sure all vials and bottles are are labeled. Make sure the hallways clear of wheelchairs and such, crashcart check is done and it is locked, armbands on. anything with expired dates are taken off the floor. Have your name badge on and know your hospitals mission statement and what the QA department is reviewing. Especially make sure teaching and documentation on patients who are mod and high risk for falls is done. All restraint consents and orders are current and documentation is spic and span. Make sure no restraints are applied wrong and ancillary staff understands the proper use of restraints. If I missed anything someone else will fill in. One thing is your policy and procedure book, MSDS sheets should be current too. JCAHO makes citations and if you fail they usually give you a certain amount of time to get them right.

I was in a pt room starting an IV,this lady walks in and says I want to observe" I asked if she was a family member or a friend" "she says no i'm from the state" My reply " i'm going to need to see an ID,I have to protect my pts privacy" her mouth opened, she was shocked. I thought she was going to fall down. I know I sound a little immature but I don't care,it was a great moment. Nurse's take the blame for an awful lot and most of the time we are in the right and doing our jobs as best we can..

Way to Go!!!

I have worked in long term care and I have had state surveyors come in at 4am. Tha main thing the surveyors want to know is that you are providing safe quality care to the residents. Be polite to them. If they ask you a question you are not sure off ,tell them " I dont know the answer ,but I can look it up for you" Jus make sure where information is available if you dont know the answer. Make sure pts are identified priot to any treatment and that you provide privacy. this seems to be a biggy. Also, restraints and psych meds . make sure you can provide them with good documentation. And they are included in your nursing care plan. Hope this helps . Just be yourself and dont try to do things you dont ordinarily do. They notice these things. Good Luck!