Is this your survey year?

[twokidsmom,rn]

We are in a survey year and everyone is on edge. We heard that the surveyors are very focused on med lists, more so than usual.

Also have you had a surveyor come out with you?

Any advise would help. If they find something wrong like a med not in the pt's home file what happens? If you are so nervous and forget something simple while they are with you what happens?

Thanks

[cathrn64]

In general, the surveyors don't say a word to you if they see you make a mistake. They talk to the pt and ask questions. Last time she asked the pt questions about if the pt knew how to reach the agency, and their nurse, if the pt knew about their bill of rights, and they wanted to see the home med sheet and see that it was up to date. They also watched everything I did in the home. Very focused on bag technique. Another nurse in my agency had a surveyor want to see her trunk supplies. She checked every single item (including lab tubes) to make sure none were expired.

At the end of their time the surveyors held a meeting to tell of all of the mistakes they found from visits, pt's and charts. In my agency's case there was a supervisor driving the surveyor around, so she saw the mistakes too, and knew who each came from. I don't think anything bad happened to anyone who made a mistake. I think they had to come in for an inservice.

Each time they have a different focus, so it's hard to predict what they will look for

[berube]

seems each visit they are focused on meds, IV's and wounds....they do talk to the patient asking them just as posted above....i have even prepared my patients for the visit,makig sure all the meds are updated etc....and this particular patient i had had on several times, so i knew her and was able to prompt her and still the surveyor found a question to ask her!!!!!! i know there job is to fix problems,,but sometimes when they can't find anything they just keep digging and digging....always glad when it is over.