The Joint Commission Tri-Annual survey is this year. We can expect the surveyors to arrive any day. Here are a few tips when interacting with a surveyor:

• – Make eye contact and politely ask if the surveyor has any additional questions.
• – If you do not know the answers to a question, be honest and say so. Or, see #4 and look for the answer.
• – Never lie or make up an answer. The surveyors have read through our documents and may have asked others the same or similar questions. – – – They have years of experience and have “heard all the lies”.
• – Remain calm. Breath. Stress and anxiety can result in forgetfulness as well as offering too much information. 
• – It is ok to admit that you are nervous and have drawn a blank. Take a few deep breaths and answer to the best of your ability. 
• – If you offer additional information, you have opened up a new area for questions and investigations by surveyors.
• – Keep in mind that you are able to look at department resources related to TJC if you are unsure of or cannot remember an answer. 
• – REMEMBER: it is TJC (The Joint Commission), not JCAHO. 

Examples of where to find TJC Information:

• The back of your ID badge has information regarding Emergency Codes, and RACE process for a Code Red, and PASS for fire extinguishers. 
• Napartet News Updates
• NEO and Department Manager Trainings
• Policy Manager
• The Joint Commission Reference Guide
  • This booklet is available from the Performance Improvement Department, and contains these tips along with other resources to prep you for a TJC survey