Joint Commission Mock Surveys

Mock surveys are one of the best exercises for ensuring compliance with Joint Commission standards before or between on-site surveys.  Typically the organizations we work with will complete (at least) one mock survey leading up to an initial accreditation survey, and then once a year after being accredited.  Mock surveys can be either announced or unannounced, depending on the preferences of leadership and where the program is currently at in their accreditation cycle.  

Mock surveys help organizations stay on their toes.  Typically the surveyor that is identified for a mock survey will review the agency as if they are a Joint Commission surveyor, identifying areas where the organization may have fallen out of compliance with applicable standards.  Our experience is that working with an outside professional who has previously participated in multiple surveys works best.  Sometimes the easiest things to miss are the ones that are right in front of your eyes 40 hours a week!

When we contract with organizations, we attempt to make the mock survey process feel as real as possible.  We walk in the door with the expectation that we will be signing in at a front desk and asked to identify ourselves, and be guided to an area where we can set up and review appropriate agency documentation.  The mock survey is typically conducted over the course of 2-3 days, and it operates under a similar schedule to a real survey.

We review all relevant documentation and locations required when conducting a mock survey.  This involves tracers on medical records as well as system tracers on Infection Control, Data Management, Environment of Care, Medication Management, and more.  

After concluding a mock survey we provide organizations with a report as well as guidance on how to correct any areas of the program found to be deficient.  We take the time to meet with agency leadership and the staff who will be hands-on in correcting deficiencies, and once we are off-site we make ourselves available to provide guidance to your team over the phone, video chat, or email.

If your organization would like Recovery Consultants to conduct an announced or unannounced Mock Survey, or assistance achieving accreditation through The Joint Commission, click the link below to contact us through our web submission form, or call us anytime at (866) 444-7272.