Published
Need I say more?
Hppy
I've never had the pleasure of being around when they've come by.
Me either, but then I work in private duty so it's not like I'd ever see them anyway. I can tell when the state is coming to the office though to check all the paper work, because the case managers start getting really anal about any corrections that need to be done on our charting and MUST be completed by such and such a date.
Years ago when TJC came through my hospital, I was asked by the powers that be to demonstrate crash-cart checks for them. There they were, clipboards in hand, as I grabbed the checklist off the back of the cart only to discover that NO ONE HAD CHECKED THE CART OVER THE WEEKEND. Three days with no nurses' signatures. Needless to say, management and I were MORTIFIED and what's worse, one of the assistant department managers asked me to explain why there were blanks on the form. Well, I had no idea because I hadn't worked the weekend, so I stood there blushing brightly and said the three little words: "I don't know". But I didn't give up and go home---nope, just went on with the demonstration as if nothing were amiss. Later on, the president of the hospital sought me out to thank me for my professionalism. Nothing like being put on the spot!
I actually worked at one hospital that had a special code they'd announce on the intercom when Joint Commission arrived. It'd be announced and everyone in management would be scrambling around, it was kind of funny actually, like they were announcing the beginning of an invasion.
My husband (also a nurse) said they would make an announcement. Something along the lines of "Dr. Survey, Dr. Survey, please call the nurses station. Dr. Survey, please call the nurses station." I laughed so hard because I am pretty sure it was that obvious.
Years ago when TJC came through my hospital, I was asked by the powers that be to demonstrate crash-cart checks for them. There they were, clipboards in hand, as I grabbed the checklist off the back of the cart only to discover that NO ONE HAD CHECKED THE CART OVER THE WEEKEND. Three days with no nurses' signatures. Needless to say, management and I were MORTIFIED and what's worse, one of the assistant department managers asked me to explain why there were blanks on the form. Well, I had no idea because I hadn't worked the weekend, so I stood there blushing brightly and said the three little words: "I don't know". But I didn't give up and go home---nope, just went on with the demonstration as if nothing were amiss. Later on, the president of the hospital sought me out to thank me for my professionalism. Nothing like being put on the spot!
That is about how mine went too. No med cart but had to show them around the unit and the med room. It did not seem to be too bad. We were ready.
My husband (also a nurse) said they would make an announcement. Something along the lines of "Dr. Survey, Dr. Survey, please call the nurses station. Dr. Survey, please call the nurses station." I laughed so hard because I am pretty sure it was that obvious.
I used to hear something similar when I went in alone to do complaint surveys. " Administrator to the chapel" was on the overhead. When I exited I would hear, " all clear" as I walked to the car.
EDnurseNY
49 Posts
My facility is just upfront about it. There's a hospital-wide announcement "[Hospital] is proud to welcome representatives from The Joint Commission. . ." And then the ensuing panic.