cols. The surveyor
reviewed the inspec-
tion log for the cart,
looked where the res-
cue medications were
kept and checked to
see if the staff had per-
formed regular
response drills. "I
expected the surveyor
to talk to the other
staff members about
our protocols, but she
questioned me the entire time," says Ms. Thompson. "I prepped my
whole team because I was the manager, but I was the one she talked to
the most."
Positivity pays off
Ms. Thompson says one of the most important things to remember
about accreditation surveys is that the process is not about punishing
you for doing wrong, but to see how you can improve your work envi-
ronment. "It wasn't as grueling as I thought it would be," she adds.
Ms. Geier agrees that the survey should be collaborative, not con-
frontational. Surveyors will seek information through direct observa-
tion, review of policies and interviews with staff and providers, but
they're not out to "get you," she says. Don't be afraid to speak up if
you have ideas for how to improve your practices. "They're not just
looking for things that you do wrong, but also for what you do right,"
explains Ms. Geier. "They want to learn about ways to improve
accreditation standards."
4 8 • O U T PA T I E N T S U R G E R Y M A G A Z I N E • N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9
• READY OR NOT Staff at Crater Lake Surgery Center prepared for what they
assumed the surveyor would cover. As is the case during most surveys, there were
some surprises.
Crater
Lake
Surgery
Center
