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Survey Preparation for Behavioral Health Organizations

Healthcare professionals doing Joint Commission Survey PreparationPreparing your behavioral healthcare organization for an accreditation or regulatory survey can be a demanding task. The lead-up to the survey often brings stress and a significant time commitment. Partnering with expert survey preparation consultants can alleviate this burden, offering you the benefits of specialized knowledge and proven strategies to ensure a successful outcome.

Proven Strategies for Survey Success

Our survey preparation services are based on over 25 years of experience and a comprehensive database of survey findings. This enables us to

  • Focus on the most critical standards tailored to your organization’s setting, scope of service, and patient/client population
  • Simulate the survey process to prepare your team thoroughly
  • Deliver actionable insights that lead to a smooth and successful survey

Comprehensive Survey Preparation Services

Our comprehensive survey preparation services provide a structured approach to tackling every aspect of the accreditation and regulatory process, ensuring your organization is thoroughly prepared.

1. Education and Training

We provide targeted education for your team on accreditation standards and regulatory requirements and how they will be surveyed in your programs.

2. Gap Analysis

For organizations seeking initial accreditation, we conduct a gap analysis to evaluate compliance with standards. This tailored analysis identifies areas requiring improvement and serves as the foundation for a customized action plan.

3. Mock Surveys

Our mock surveys replicate actual survey agendas, allowing your team to practice and gain confidence in the survey process.

This includes:

  • Patient tracers
  • Standard agency interviews
  • Guidance on handling challenging survey scenarios using the latest techniques

4. Customized Action Plans

Following the gap analysis or mock survey, we help you develop a detailed roadmap for compliance.

Your action plan includes:

  • Prioritized areas of non-compliance
  • Specific action steps, responsible parties, and target completion dates

5. Environment of Care, Life Safety, and Emergency Management Reviews

Our experts evaluate compliance with Environment of Care, Emergency Management, and Life Safety standards, providing actionable recommendations. Our Life Safety Specialist ensures adherence to both the NFPA Life Safety Code and TJC/CMS standards.

6. Survey Management Coaching

We guide your team on effectively managing the survey process, including:

  • Managing the survey agenda
  • Preparing documents and records
  • Conducting staff interviews
  • Reviewing the SAFER matrix with surveyors

Addressing High-Risk Compliance Areas

A customized survey preparation plan is essential for tackling high-risk compliance areas effectively. By tailoring strategies to your organization’s unique scope, services, and patient population, we ensure that the most critical compliance challenges are addressed in a way that aligns with your specific needs and goals.

Key areas include:

  • Treatment Planning: Ensuring individualized, measurable plans.
  • Ligature Risks: Compliance with environmental risk assessments and best practices.
  • Suicide Risk Assessment: Alignment with the latest National Patient Safety Goal.
  • Medication Management: Oversight of ordering, storage, and administration.
  • Infection Control: Comprehensive risk assessments and surveillance plans.
  • Medical Staff Credentialing and Privileging: Best practices for evaluations and bylaws

We work with you to provide solutions that make sense for your unique organization.


Why Choose Barrins & Associates for Survey Preparation

Our insights into the accreditation and survey process are based on our 25+ years’ experience as nationally recognized consultants in behavioral healthcare. We are dedicated to assisting our clients achieve successful survey outcomes and providing a solution that remains effective long term.

To learn more about how we can help you, contact us online or call us at 1-888-742-4621.

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