How to prepare for JCAHO survey

mmm cdiff · Jun 17, 2011

On my unit, we had JCAHO preparedness meetings, and some key points were shared:

- No medication is allowed to be overridden in the computer

- Pain assessment and reassessment

- Know where your fire extinguishers are, and RACE/PASS

- Scan medications IN the patient's rooms; no scanning or drawing up in the hallway

- If using a computer on wheels and charting, have your back and the computer screen facing the wall

shhhh · Jun 17, 2011

I know that my hospital prints up little booklets for us to read during downtime, and we get email after email with the subject line "JCAHO READINESS" or something like that, all about what we could be asked by JCAHO and what are good answers. When they arrive, mass email updates gets sent as to where JCAHO visited in the hospital, how well we've done so far and kudos to whomever impresses the surveyors.

I thought every hospital out there would at least write up literature for employees to read through so they know what questions to expect from JCAHO and what answers the surveyor would expect to hear. I'm surprised your hospital isn't preparing you at all for it, because getting the accreditation is a big deal for the hospital.

shhhh · Jun 17, 2011

But I got sidetracked and hit "submit" before I answered your question completely! Sorry!

Off the top of my head, JCAHO is really concerned with everyone knowing the two patient identifiers and that everyone takes every patient having an ID bracelet on seriously. They're also really concerned with appropriate labeling of medications (specifically IV push meds) and labeling of multi-use vials. They also want everyone to know the hospital policy on doing quality control tests on point of care tests too, like blood sugar machines, hematocult and gastrocult cards. I'm sure there'll be other commenters who will include lots of other info I can't think of right now. Good luck! :)

colnurse · Jun 17, 2011

we just had jacho, make sure you don't have much of anything in your pockets-especially meds or ns flushes. be able to answer their questions or where to find their answers. at my hospital they followed patients from one area to another so for my floor pre-op, pacu, the floor and then asked the nurse questions regarding her plan of care, medications, pca sheets properly filled out and completed. also make sure work stations are clean, they check that stuff too. do what you know is right for patient safety and you will be fine.

RNChristy · Jun 17, 2011

Patient Safety is one of the most important concepts that JCAHO looks at during their rounds. NEVER say you don't know the answer to a question. If you don't lnow, ALWAYS say I can find out the answer. Document properly and never leave any medications around. I know you will get many other ideas too.

Christy, RN

classicdame, MSN, EdD · Jun 17, 2011

review policies. JC is big about people following the faciltie's policies. That includes subtle things like wearing goggles when hanging blood, washing hands before and after pt contact---------------

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN · Jun 17, 2011

YOur facility usually has preparedness inservices...nobody want to be caught with their pants down....but here is a link for you to look at to get an idea

http://www.jointcommission.org/standards_information/npsgs.aspx

BeentheredonethatRN · Feb 7, 2013

Make sure your hospital has their sales receipt ,and you will pass everytime. lol

Meriwhen, ASN, BSN, MSN, RN · Feb 7, 2013

Best piece of advice that I can offer you: answer questions honestly--including saying "I don't know" when you truly don't know--but don't volunteer extra information.

If they want to know something specific, they will ask you. If you start spouting off loads of info to look good and say something that may not entirely be correct (even if you meant well), they will be all over it...and you.

nurseprnRN, BSN, RN · Feb 7, 2013

Answer any question they ask you honestly, even if that answer is, "I don't know..." and be sure to follow that up with, "... but I know where to get the answer," and show them where the Policy and Procedure book is and where the answer is in it. You might want to consider reading that now, to be familiar with it...and to learn what better habits are. I review a lot of charting and I want to tell you how often it does NOT make them look good.

Better? Lose the bad habits. Visits aren't something you prepare for specially-- they are the opportunity to show how you really are. This is why they are often unannounced nowadays.