Surveyor's Notes and Pointers

The top 6 things you should do when a surveyor enters your facility:

1. Take a Deep Breath

Surveyors are not out to get YOU. They are there to conduct an investigation on a complaint, reported incident (by your facility), or your annual recertification. They have a lot to go through and YOU are not their priority.

2. Clean up your cart

One of the first things surveyors see is your medication cart. Ensure that your cart is locked and no medications are on top, including empty bottles and cards with patient identifiers.

3. Look presentable and ready to work

Try not to look unkempt and look professional such as having your name badge with you and your stethoscope ready. Nothing stands out more than a nurse that looks like they just got up from a long nap and went to work. If you do, you might be the first one to get interviewed. 

4. Call lights! Call lights!

Make a quick tour of your residents. Ensure that your call lights are within reach. When something looks "OFF", take care of it or delegate to another staff. Also, answer call lights. Happy patients usually don't complain to surveyors.

5. Ask your DON

Usually, surveyors conduct a quick entrance conference with the Director of Nursing, Administrator, or a Licensed Nurse. If so, ask them what the visit is about. With that information, you can prepare yourself with potential interview questions that might come up.

6. Interview time

When you do get called for an interview, relax. We are just trying to find out (usually) what happened to warrant our visit. Try to keep your answers short and straight to the point, and do not add any unnecessary information. Try not to involve other staff, because you do not know how that staff will answer when they get interviewed.