Sometimes, when the surveyor walks in the door, a certain panic takes place. The administrator or clinical supervisor usually meets with the surveyor first and gets them settled in. A time will come when the surveyor wants to go out on home visits with staff and she wants to go out with you.
ARE YOU READY?
From a home care aide's experience, here are some helpful insights to help prepare for when the surveyor goes on home visits with you.
Surveyors, according to the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, verify how well the healthcare entities comply with the conditions of participation. Conditions of participation (COPs) are the rules and regulations that Medicare/Medicaid funded agencies have to follow.
So how does one prepare for home visits with a surveyor?
* Make sure your clinical documentation is current. Make sure your aide care plan is the most current and reflects any changes that may have occurred since the aide care plan was first written. Check that the address, phone number, directions to the home, or any other essential information about the patient is correct. Review the aide care plan and make sure you know what is needed for the patient. Make sure to follow the care plan exactly. Performing a task not on the aide care plan can make the surveyor doubt if the aide care plans are being followed by you and other aides. Also, verify your visit frequency to make sure it is within ordered visit range.
* Double check your aide documentation after giving care. Notify the nurse if there are any changes noted at the visit that may require the care plan to be updated. Changes needing reported may be; the patient needs nail care, shaving or has developed a pressure area.
* Double check your supplies (gloves, thermometer covers, etc.) and the proper placement of supplies in your visit bag. Being out with a surveyor is not the time to find out you used your last pair of gloves on the previous patient.
* Visiting a long-standing patient versus a new patient with a surveyor can make you feel more comfortable. Being comfortable with the patient care can increase confidence and lessen the chance of not following the care plan or agency protocols/procedures.
* Know and abide by your agency's bag technique and infection control practices. Make sure the practices are routine. Do protocol and procedures right, that way you don't have to try to remember to do them right when the surveyor is making home visits with you (make them routine)!!
* Having a 1- to 2-day warning that surveyor is going on home visits with you gives you time to check aide care plans, review clinical documentation and agency procedures.
* Being knowledgeable in aide skills can also increase confidence when a surveyor is watching you.
* Having gone through the survey process before and knowing what to expect can increase confidence and help you feel prepared.
A question that a surveyor may ask is, "When would you consider calling a nurse directly to report a need versus leaving a message?" The correct answer given was, "Any significant change in patient condition (new wound, high temp, etc.) needs a phone call versus a message could be left when more supplies for the patient are needed in a few days." Another question may be, "How do you know how to use this equipment (Hoyer lift)?" Correct answer given was, "I have been checked off on use of a mechanical lift." The surveyor may ask how you know how to complete a certain task, such as catheter care or applying TED hose. Questions are random, always be prepared for anything. A good orientation to policy, protocols, and procedures and getting checked off on aide skills can help you feel better prepared to answer any question the surveyor may ask. Remember, the surveyor wants to know that you are following the standards and not just putting on a show.
Make sure you are up-to-date on your aide education hours. A surveyor may ask for your education record to verify that you have the needed education hours for the year based on the conditions of participation or for your state requirements.