JCAHO is coming!!!

[SheriLynnRN]

And it's making me nervous. I am a staff RN on a surgical unit. I've been working at this hospital for about two months. We are expecting the surveyors sometime in the first quarter of this year, but the visit will be unannounced. I have confidence in the facility, it's an excellent hospital overall, but I am scared that they will actually want to talk to me. My understanding is that thye have gone to using the "tracer" method where they pick a certain pt's chart and retrace that pt;s steps from admission to discharge, talking to all the care givers along the way about specifics about the pt and care given. i just hope that I don't say something horribly stupid or something. Can anyone else relate? Also, what are you hospitals/units doing to become "continuously survey ready?"

[MMARN, BSN, RN]

I'm not exactly sure what JCAHO is, but I just know that on Monday, my nursing process 1 class had a hospital orientation day and they told us about this. They said it was a big deal. I'm a little nervous b/c I think they said it would apply to students as well. I think they'll do it in our clinical rotations. I don't know, though.

Mave.

[NRSKarenRN, BSN, RN]

Relax!

My homecare agency just survived unannounced JCAHO survey 2 weeks ago using tracer methodology. Upon review of chart, they will interview patient--compare charting against facilities policy and procedures, minimal talking with staff. Know and follow 2006 JCAHO safety goals, your facilities policies and procedures, complete required facility documentation and you should be OK.