Clinical/Life Safety Mock Survey – What is it?

A clinical/life safety mock survey is an important procedure used to prepare a hospital or medical facility’s staff for the scenarios they might encounter on the job. Adherence to proper policy and medical code is vitally important to the success of any medical facility. Where inspections and screenings might fail, a mock survey can effectively analyze the effectiveness of training and teaching methods as well as the competence of the staff.

During a clinical mock survey the process of a standard clinical survey is performed. Patients’ care records are meticulously examined by the traditional patient survey process; this involves doctors, nurses and others examining and reviewing clinical documentation for the purpose of the survey. While this is a significant investment in time and manpower, it is also essential to keep the skills of the staff sharp and their observation levels high. A documentation error that might have otherwise gone unnoticed may be picked up, and all documents and procedures are measured against the official Joint Commission’s Shared Visions/New Pathways standard accreditation model.

System tracing is an integral part of this mock survey process, as staff are asked to examine the medical history, data and infection statistics of their patients both new and old. This helps keep the records fresh in their memory and complies with the goals set up by their appointed Life Safety Code / Environment of Care overseer, who coordinates the effort and assembles the survey in the first place.

A clinical life/safety mock survey may be a time-consuming and even tedious process, but it is absolutely essential for procedures like this to be followed in order to collect the best data and screen out employees who lack dedication and observation skills.