Hey boo hey! Let’s dive into my top five must-haves to be survey ready!
Number 1: Rounding with a Purpose
Let me see if you guessed it—did you say rounding? Of course you did!
But we’re talking about rounding with a purpose. This approach helps you stay on top of resident care and concerns while observing how staff interact with our residents.
And speaking of residents, don’t forget to include resident and family interviews during your rounds.
Make it a point to frequently round on your VIP residents, too!
Also, keep an eye on any equipment being utilized—items like walkers, wheelchairs, and bedside commodes.
And here’s a pro tip: print out the care plan and go room to room to ensure that all interventions are in place and accurate. That’s what rounding with a purpose consists of!
Number 2: Morning Clinicals
Even when we’re in survival mode, having your morning clinical is essentially your mini-survey.
Make it a daily practice! During morning clinicals, be sure to delegate tasks effectively and follow up on everything that needs attention.
This includes reviewing incident reports, admissions, discharges, and any other essential items from the 24-hour report. Make sure your weekend supervisors know how to read the report and follow up on what’s needed.
This daily routine will keep everyone in the loop and prepared.
Number 3: Staffing
Make sure you’re meeting your state-mandated staffing requirements. If you’re falling short, hold daily staff meetings to discuss coverage and address any gaps. This keeps everyone accountable and focused on providing the best care possible.
Number 4: Audits
Staying on top of audits year-round is crucial, but remember: they must be done accurately with a clear outcome in mind.
Regular audits should include medication cart audits, shower room audits, call bell audits, and any other relevant areas that impact resident care and safety. This thorough approach will help you identify areas for improvement and ensure compliance before the survey team arrives.
Number 5: Chart Reviews
Have a solid process in place for night shift staff to perform chart checks every night. Consistency is key! If you need assistance with this, be sure to check out my YouTube video on tips for night shift.
Now, I know there’s a lot that goes into preparing for a survey, remember: doing the same things every day will help alleviate stress when that survey window opens.
Bonus Tip: The Survey Binder
Last but not least, make sure you have a survey binder ready that includes the entrance conference worksheet. Keep nursing items updated at least weekly to ensure everything is current and accessible.
And there you have it! My top five must-haves to prepare for survey. With these practices in place, you’ll feel more confident and ready to tackle any survey that comes your way.
Let’s get to it, nurse leaders!
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