The second coming?

No, it wasn't the second coming, but JC (aka the Joint Commission) was in the Hotel recently. Somehow, we were lucky enough to have them come on the unit when it wasn't absolute bedlam.

I read all the prep materials Madison had printed for us and it was helpful, but of course, our surveyors asked for something completely different. If you have never been through a Joint Commission inspection, it is an experience.

What was my job, you ask?  I was the lucky nurse who was chosen by the nurse manager to demonstrate how we take care of our patients, how we dress wounds and how we keep them safe. I also had to take the surveyor to therapy.

You know it's going to be a little stressful when...

1. Surveyor asks if you are causing never events. This led to a chat about what we actually do. Surveyor was happy with the explanation, especially, when we put it on his/her level.
2. You ask one of your patients if he/she would mind talking to the surveyor and he/she says no.
3. You ask the second patient, patient agrees, interview is fine, but surveyor does not like how therapy is doing certain things. Several other departments get involved. Surveyor does not come back in timely manner.
4. You're waiting for surveyor, patient gets fidgety, so you start AM care. 
5 Surveyor finally arrives and is accompanied by CNO's right hand nurse and another executive office nurse. You are sweating...not because of the audience, but because the room is so hot.
6. Mr. P. your fidgety patient, see this as his moment in the sun, so he tells surveyor how he doesn't like our other hospital. With all the bigwigs in room. Happily, Mr. P. tells surveyor he loves us because we know what we are doing.
7. Mr. P. did so well that he's chosen as the tracer patient in meeting with surveyor and boss.

I did get a compliment from the boss that the surveyor was impressed with our work. (whew!) I just hope those good things appear in the report.

So what would I say was helpful?
1. Know your facility's policies and be able to talk about them, especially those odd ones. Be prepared to find them, too, since they may want a printout.
2. The boss blanketed the unit to let everyone know the surveyor was on the unit, but we also shared this information with our visitors. No one complained, either.
3.Be friendly, smile and give them exactly what they ask for. Surveyors grade you on your disposition just as much as they grade your knowledge of policy and procedures. If you're a good poker player who bluffs well,  you'll have an edge.
4. And if you can, never let them see you sweat. You are okay, though, if the room is hot.